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“Have you ever been in love?” NiGHTS wondered aloud, not pausing long enough for Balan to answer… as if he’d even been prepared to! Surprised beyond confusion, the top-hatted fae of a being had only just begun parsing the question, brow furrowed and blinking as NiGHTS simply kept talking--continuing on as if they’d asked something perfectly normal and not at all sudden. NiGHTS swayed in place, staring into the darkening horizon thoughtfully. They hadn’t noticed Balan’s reaction at all. “I mean, I know what love is. I love my friends, family, the Visitors... I love people. I’ll probably always love people, but that’s not the same thing.”
NiGHTS hummed. “Sometimes Visitors dream about it.. I think. I usually stay out of those. I’ve never really understood it. At all. It’s never interested me before, but sometimes I wonder if I just don’t have the right perspective… ”
They looked back to Balan. The very same Balan who’d taken the moment’s reprieve to right his expression. He was listening--almost rapt with intent on finding out whatever the blazes NiGHTS was getting at. Was it a hint? Was it simply on their mind, and they’d desperately wanted someone reasonable to discuss it with? He knew very well the other company NiGHTS kept… or at least NiGHTS’ descriptions of them. They were no help. Not a single one of them, and, after all, emotional turmoil and reflection was something very close to his specialty. Balan gestured for NiGHTS to finish their thought.
“Everyone back home is either family, Nightopian, or… well, you know.” NiGHTS paused, another thought striking them down midair. They landed next to Balan, electric with the very idea. They radiated excitement, dazzling under the waning light and buoyant on top of it all. Elated in a backwards sort of way, NiGHTS grabbed a hand--an arm. Balan. “I guess it’s the same for you, isn’t it? Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone here other than Lance, and he’s your…”
“Maybe you can help me!” NiGHTS interrupted themselves in their enthusiasm, and for a moment Balan thought he saw stars in those glittering blue eyes. Oh no. “Y’know, ever since I came here, I’ve started to think that maybe it sounds fun, after all. I’d like to know. What about you?”