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[ The locket, as always, is held up in mid-air when the Outsider turns it on. He is not alone in this recording, though; behind him are four women in long, gauzy black dresses and veils. With them are several children, eyes all black; the women are gently ushering them along the shore of the beach behind them while two massive dogs run back and forth.

In the distance is the black line of the Void, creeping over the ocean.

Next to the Outsider is another one of the children, and next to him the resemblance is clear: the same eyes, the same curious tilt to the head, the same bony cheeks. The child looks a bit more fey, but he sticks close to his sire, hands clutching to his arm. ]

Do not harm the children, [ the Outsider begins, and his voice is cold, shows every century of age and power. ] Do not harm the children or we will use your blood and bones, and you will be lucky if you are dead when we start.

[ A large palm smooths over the hair of his son. A daughter comes up on the other side, humming. She smiles at him and her teeth are sharp and red. The Outsider leans in so she can murmur in his ear. ]

Ah, yes. Should anyone find themselves with a need to desecrate shrines further -- the same warning applies to you. I will know, should you touch one of mine.

[ His daughter giggles and takes the hand of his son, and the two go to join the others. The Outsider watches, head half-turned. A seagull swoops down and perches on his shoulder, ruffles its wings, and the feed ends. ]

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I am not certain whether or not Sirens get married.

[ Though now he's curious about it, even if he doesn't really think marriage is for him. ]

...huh.

[He had not considered that. Maybe the siren hadn't asked the Outsider to marry her because her kind didn't marry. Wan certainly didn't believe the mermaids or naiads married the men they attempted to lure into their arms.]

Maybe they don't. Only way to know is to ask.

Perhaps I will, then. It's already been suggested that I ask her if she loves me.

[ This is a hot mess. ]

[Now Wan was even more confused.]

...what does her loving you have to do with marriage?

[He can only assume the Outsider brought that up because he thought it was relevant.]

They often go together. In any case, it is simply another thing to ask.

Not in my world.

[Which was a shame, now that he thought about it. It just wasn't a true consideration most of the time. Not among most of the customs he was familiar with.]

...it would be nice if they did, though. Well, whatever her answer to those questions, I'm glad to see you taking the care of your children into your hands.

It is not done among those with a larger interest in politics, in my world. But those with little else do often marry for love.

[ He wonders if that is enough for them. ]

I am... linked to this world, now. In ways I did not anticipate.

[ The children, Ceit, the sigil that sits in his chest... all of it. ]

Live some place long enough and you'll make ties to it.

[Something Wan knew from experience. Lots of experience, considering how much his world had changed in his life time and how much he traveled from place to place.

He looked over his shoulder for a moment, reacting to a sound that didn't quite reach the locket, and then waved goodbye.]

I have to go. Tell the kids I said hi?

[ There's a nod of his head. ]

I will.

[ And if he gets a chance to ask Ceit, maybe Wan will get a strange call in the middle of the night about the marriage habits of sirens. ]

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