Woman: Pavel, look… I know this is the LAST place in the world you want to be. I’m just trying to get you back home as quickly as possible.

She kneels down beside Pavel and places a hand on his shoulder. Pavel clutches the strap of his bag and scowls back at her.

Woman: But if the cardinal thinks you’re still tainted, you won’t be able to leave for a long time. Isn’t that the opposite of what you want?

This at least seems to soften Pavel’s expression.

Woman: You know, we have some new patients arriving soon. Why don’t you both help me greet them?

She guides them both through a set of gray double doors carved with the twining blue patterns that adorn the walls. Water falls on either side of the doors, and through them there is a verdant green space.

Matron: And let’s get you a fresh gown from the laundry pool. I think your favorite should be dry by now.

After some time Pavel is sorted and seated cross legged on a floor cushion. He stares obstinately forward, refusing to acknowledge anything around him, and has his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He’s changed into a white gown with a pattern of yellow ducklings scattered across it from waistline hem to the ends of his sleeves. Eddy sits beside him, wincing in sympathy.

Eddy: Wow-- The duckling gown again.

Pavel: YOU did this. This is YOUR fault.

Behind them, the waterfall steams and mists gently, and hanging green vines and foliage grow around an opening in the wall through which sunlight streams. Ahead of both boys are other children, presumably patients. All seated on floor cushions and dressed in pale gowns with colored decorations. One of them is a darker skinned boy with white pigmentation coloring his left arm, almost up to his elbow. Another is an olive skinned girl with stark white coloring her ear and a tendril of her hair. All of the patients have pink eyes.