Then I guess I'll talk to him, you'll talk to Baizhu, and we'll all talk to each other! ♪

[He injects his voice with plenty of cheer.

Even though they're talking about business, not some social gathering. And there isn't a lot to be cheerful about, in all honestly. He's not really sure anything will come of their meeting; not sure they'll ever truly break free. Are they destined to live as caged birds forever? Is it that or turn to stone?

But Esikko did get close to opening up paths home, or so he said. If he combined his magic with a god's, who knows what might happen? And if nothing else, Hiyori figures that having other people to work with might keep him from running himself into the ground. If he can prevent that, none of this will be a waste.

He smiles and concludes:]

Then that's where we'll meet.

[The Red Cardinal.

That's the end of that topic. For now, anyway. But it's not all he came here to say. This next one is more difficult, and he pauses for a moment, smile dulling just a bit.]

There's something else I wanted to ask you for, too. Though it's nothing you'd need to do right now.

[Or ever, hopefully.

But he knows hoping gets you nothing here.]