I understand, [he says, because he does. He does understand.] It's a long history, Miss Irene. We ain't known "those kids" as long as we would've liked to. We've known those kids' memories longer than we actually knew 'em.

[He really shouldn't beat around the bush, though. He shakes his head, more at himself.]

Y'all were supposed to grow up here, but y'couldn't. Not after some greedy merchants let the creature sealed away in the temple out. My sister 'n' I lost our names and existences — she gave hers up to distract the creature from the ritual that sent y'all to other words to reincarnate, and I lost mine 'cause the damnable thing tricked me. I guess spite made us these lingering specters we are now.