[ Hoju listens, quiet and a little somber. For a moment, he closes his eyes. Perhaps imagining the future that was no longer there, perhaps a moment of silence for the vulnerable, whose lives were lost. Those who never had a chance, through no fault of their own. It is for the sake of people like those that he left his homeland in the first place.

The scholar sighs, quiet, and then returns his attention to G'raha with a faint smile and a nod.

It's a strange feeling, though he imagines it stranger still for G'raha. Bittersweet, either way. He gives his companion's hand a small squeeze. ]

I imagine they've no shortage of work to spare. A fair few others, too, if they don't. [ Don't worry, G'raha. If there's one thing Hoju ends up with plenty of, it is sidequests. But speaking of their trip— ]

Was there aught you wished to see first? —After we rest, of course. [ Don't worry! He won't forget his promise. ]