The spirit sat beside Hajin with their hands joined, watching his face while the promised name waited unchosen.
"You really mean it?" she sniffled, scrubbing the last wet streak under one eye with her free sleeve, "even if I burn this whole visit finding out every sound you offer feels wrong?"
"Then we toss the wrong ones," he said, leaving his hand right where she wanted it.
"Hell, I survived a royal banquet without supper, I can survive a conversation where my first idea loses."
Her smile crept back as the sleeve lowered, and the damp crease beneath her eye finally started drying.
"Fewer names than that banquet carried titles, please," she said, resting her free hand beside her knee, "you make them sound impossible to carry without somebody trailing behind to announce the rest."
Hajin barked a laugh, then winced and clutched his ribs, "Some people need an entire room before their introduction even finishes."
