"Ah, Leonda, please spare me a moment. I would like to retrieve something," Alex said, offering Leonda, who looked less than amused, a sheepish smile.
They stood before a vast blockade of darkness that seemed to devour any light that dared enter its domain. It towered over Alex, emphasizing her insignificance in the grand scheme of things. They were at the foot of the first floor, giving Alex the unsettling feeling that they might actually be venturing beyond that darkness for the "gift ceremony."
Leonda's face, which had been welcoming and cheerful moments ago, was now marred with a frown as she looked down at Alex, the apparent cause of her displeasure.
"There is nothing you own that is worth a single shard. What could you possibly require?" Her exasperated tone perfectly conveyed her frustration, even if her peeved expression wasn't visible. Alex, however, was unperturbed.
"It's nothing, really," she called, continuing her ascent of the stairs. "Please pardon me."
