After leaving Killian’s office, Rowan makes his way to his own. 

He passes through the same halls he sees every day.

Not stopping for even a single glance.

Once inside, he closes the door and places the jar in the center of his desk.

“So…” He stares at Taka. “I am going to let you out, but…” 

Rowan feels a little silly, talking to the jar. 

“You can’t run away.”

…

Taka’s eyes light up. “Am I really going to be let out?” 

…

Rowan doesn’t answer.

He can’t.

He can’t hear Taka at all.

…

“I guess I have to trust you won’t run away.”

He untwists the cap on the jar and steps back. 

He stares and waits for something to happen.

…

After a few moments of silence, the jar is knocked over. 

Rowan’s eyes widen as the fog slowly leaves the jar and falls onto the floor. 

It slowly twists and shifts into the young boy from before.

Taka opens his misty eyes and looks around.

Books line every wall.

The scent of parchment fills his nose.

The light of day comes through the window behind him, covering the room in yellow.

Rowan freezes as the little boy looks around with wide eyes.

…

Eventually, the eyes of Taka are met with Rowan’s.

…

“... Hello.” Taka murmurs.

“... Hello…” Rowan is quiet for a moment, then lets out another breath. “I was worried I imagined it.” He chuckles at himself.

…

Taka lowers his head and fidgets with his hands. 

“This place is so pretty…”

Rowan can’t help but smile. “This is my office. I am happy you like it.” 

He sits down on one of the couches and watches the boy.

Taka walks over to a shelf, gently stroking the back of a book. 

“What is this?” he asks.

Rowan lets out a small laugh. “It’s a book.”

Taka turns and feels the couch. “And this?”

Rowan’s smile starts to fade. “A couch.”

“This?”

…

“That is a desk.”

“Th-”

“That is a chair…” His brow furrows slightly. “Have you never seen any of these things before?”

Taka looks at Rowan then to his feet. “I’ve seen them… Kind of…” He folds his hands together. “But nobody has ever told me what they were…”

Rowan looks around his office.

The room falls silent.

… 

“How old are you?”

…

Taka counts his fingers. “...five?” 

Rowan studies him.

He looks older than five.

“You are five years old?”

Taka looks at him and shakes his head. “No… I am…” He counts his fingers again.

…

Rowan sighs. “Do you know how old you are?”

Taka closes his fingers and shakes his head again.

Rowan’s chest tightens. 

…

“What do you know?”

Taka puts his finger on his chin. 

“... Sillyweed is used to help you breathe underwater?”

Rowan chuckles. “Oh yeah? Where did you learn that?”

“The potions master…” Taka lowers his gaze.

Rowan grows thoughtful.

"Potions master..." he repeats quietly.

He looks down at his feet.

…

He never wondered before…

About what spirits might go through.