"You're here."
The man's voice sounded gentle, like ripples in a lake. But a shudder spread across Jezeneth's body as she heard it.
Her expression remained serious as she bowed lower.
"Yes. You called."
A brief silence gripped the space as the man simply stared at Jezeneth, his small smile unmoving.
He tilted his head slightly to the side.
"Hmm, that's correct. I called."
His steps echoed across the space as he continued descending the flight of stairs, unhurried.
"Jezeneth."
The atmosphere turned heavier.
Jezeneth's eyes sharpened, and she subtly clenched her fists.
"Yes."
"Do you know why plants grow as they do?" he asked. His tone sounded more curious than reprimanding. He continued without waiting for a response.
"…Why some twist toward the sun, while others crawl across the earth, seeking darkness?"
He brought out a dead leaf from his sleeve with a deft motion.