The Valdris inn had a common room with two windows facing the main road and a fireplace Kai had lit twice since they arrived — the first time because it was cold, and the second because Serah said she liked the sound it made.
Today he lit it for both reasons.
Serah was in the largest armchair, staring at the fire with the expression of someone actively trying to do nothing.
"Since I met you," she said, "there's never been time to do nothing."
Kai was on the floor with his back against the armchair, staring at the ceiling.
"I know."
"How did you do it in your world?"
Kai considered.
"Videos, mostly." Pause. "And food I wasn't allowed to eat during training."
"What kind of food?"
"The kind that tastes good but does nothing useful for the body."
Serah processed this.
"And that worked?"
"For resting, yes." Kai looked at the ceiling. "The brain needs to do something that doesn't matter. If everything you do matters, the brain doesn't rest."
Serah considered it for a moment.
