You didn't realise, earlier, exactly how large this kid was.
(They're small enough to fit under your chin, so only six inches or so smaller than you. But six inches is still a lot, when you're nine and they're six at the oldest.)
They bounce straight up into your personal space, and you back up until the recuperacoon is against your back. They don't seem to notice, though, and once they're in close, they duck their chin, tapping each of their horns against yours: one tap to the left, one to the right, while they chatter away all the while.
You forgot that's what lowbloods do to greet each other in this city. You'd prefer a handshake, but awkwardly, you return the gesture, and Hinnom seems satisfied. They've been rattling away this entire time, and you have to struggle to remember what they were saying.
They're talking about ghosts.
"I can't say I have," you say, laughing a little. A lot of lowbloods believe in ghosts, but you're not one of them. The idea of living after your body has died is far too depressing. "But, ah.. I'll take your word for it."
They didn't move the bones here. That's good, you suppose, and a little less unsettling. People die all the time, and there's no point in getting upset over it, but the idea of people handling the bodies afterwards leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
The skin mask is probably something they just grabbed, then. You're almost tempted to ask - but, no, this is where Hinnom was assigned to live, and there's no point in potentially upsetting them by bringing it up. "You found all of the rest, though? If you don't mind me asking.. where?"
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(They're small enough to fit under your chin, so only six inches or so smaller than you. But six inches is still a lot, when you're nine and they're six at the oldest.)
They bounce straight up into your personal space, and you back up until the recuperacoon is against your back. They don't seem to notice, though, and once they're in close, they duck their chin, tapping each of their horns against yours: one tap to the left, one to the right, while they chatter away all the while.
You forgot that's what lowbloods do to greet each other in this city. You'd prefer a handshake, but awkwardly, you return the gesture, and Hinnom seems satisfied. They've been rattling away this entire time, and you have to struggle to remember what they were saying.
They're talking about ghosts.
"I can't say I have," you say, laughing a little. A lot of lowbloods believe in ghosts, but you're not one of them. The idea of living after your body has died is far too depressing. "But, ah.. I'll take your word for it."
They didn't move the bones here. That's good, you suppose, and a little less unsettling. People die all the time, and there's no point in getting upset over it, but the idea of people handling the bodies afterwards leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
The skin mask is probably something they just grabbed, then. You're almost tempted to ask - but, no, this is where Hinnom was assigned to live, and there's no point in potentially upsetting them by bringing it up. "You found all of the rest, though? If you don't mind me asking.. where?"