[phantom's gaze flicks from shalem's face, to his offered hand, and then back to his face, and while the feline has never been one to read expressions well, body language is easier, he thinks he can hazard a guess as to what shalem is feeling.

but can he truly take what is being offered, when he doesn't want to leave the dark recesses of what's unknown to him?]

I cannot give you my word that I will resist them forever. For long as there is something empty in me, I will always seek to fill that void. [but he still takes shalem's hand.]

But the Troupe shall never get their hands on me again.