***
{Inside The Projection}
The quiet had not left the room.
Malik remained where he always was—back straight, legs folded beneath him, eyes lowered. The faint whisper of Aether still drifting about him, thumping, pushing back against something.
After many long minutes of that, Dunya slipped back inside, softer than the latch of the door.
She crouched low near him, tilting her head as if to study him, something he'd found her doing a lot recently.
Her hands folded behind her knees as she carefully tapped his side with a single finger.
"..."
No response.
Another poke, firmer this time.
"..."
Still, no response.
Another poke, and another, and another, her way of repeatedly asking the same question, annoying him, until finally...
"No. I won't join you for breakfast."
Malik exhaled, opening his eyes to meet her stubborn gaze.
"I don't require food."
