[ She nods several times in succession. Theorizing is the sort of thing she's always preferred to leave up to the other Scions, chiming in only when prompted. But when it was only her and Estinien--arguably two of the absolute worst at it--she's tried to step up to the plate. ]

I can't shake the feeling that it's like...like the Singularity is watching us somehow. That's silly, right?

[ Please tell her that's silly, Thancred.

She takes a moment to take a drink from her tankard before going into the details of her journey. Her nerves are arguably more calmed after moving away from the subject of the Echo. ]

I'm not entirely certain, but I imagine if Y'shtola was close to one she would find something interesting. Even I can sense the aether is different.

[ While naturally sensitive to aether given her proclivity to manipulating it to her will, no one has the sort of aether insight as Y'sthola at this point. All Himeka can feel is that it's special, even if she can't discern why. ]

They came from Thorne. The Council in Solvunn said that they couldn't be trusted with Thorne or the Free Cities. Given the history with Thorne and the reputation of the Free Cities, Estinien and I actually agreed on that point. But...we did so knowing that we would be entrusting this strange energy to the Council.

[ People that have thus far been kind, but truthfully Himeka doesn't know too well. She's used to bumping elbows with nation leaders at this point, so it's a work in progress. ]

They said they would be kept safe and part of me hoped that would be the end of it. Just keep it secret and safe? But when the opportunity came up to transport them...

[ She was curious but also felt responsible given that she had helped deliver some of those caskets to Solvunn. ]

The shrine was remote, Thancred. There are many shrines and altars in the towns proper, but they really sent us out and away from everyone else.