Jason pokes his finger, the tiny twinge of pain something he doesn't even think about any more. Three drops into the bowl, then his hand retreats to one of the cafe napkins to dab the little cut.
He wordlessly takes the girl's hand in his own much larger one, neither gently nor roughly. Her fingers and palm are callused like a soldier's despite her tender years; her finernails and the creases in her skin are filthy with dirt. There's as many tiny scrapes and scratches on her hands as his own, although likely for different reasons.
Jason's fingers are sure with the needle. He pricks the ball of her index finger, then maneuvers her hand over the bowl, drip, drip, drip.
Their mingled blood dissipates into the water.
"State your question aloud," Jason says in a low voice, looking at the bowl rather than at the small, scared, brave child across from him. "Clearly and simply. Focus on the thing you wish to know."
[Location: Cafe in Speares]
Jason pokes his finger, the tiny twinge of pain something he doesn't even think about any more. Three drops into the bowl, then his hand retreats to one of the cafe napkins to dab the little cut.
He wordlessly takes the girl's hand in his own much larger one, neither gently nor roughly. Her fingers and palm are callused like a soldier's despite her tender years; her finernails and the creases in her skin are filthy with dirt. There's as many tiny scrapes and scratches on her hands as his own, although likely for different reasons.
Jason's fingers are sure with the needle. He pricks the ball of her index finger, then maneuvers her hand over the bowl, drip, drip, drip.
Their mingled blood dissipates into the water.
"State your question aloud," Jason says in a low voice, looking at the bowl rather than at the small, scared, brave child across from him. "Clearly and simply. Focus on the thing you wish to know."