For all that gets lost in the small gaps between their experiences and words, they're somehow still able to communicate a similar sentiment. It comes as a surprise to Leaks as much as to Alder, and he responds to her more focused attention with his own intrigued gaze. He hadn't given anyone any mind, here. He hadn't expected anything. Perhaps he'd been too dismissive too quickly?

It's a homonym, clearly; Hexe, America, it means nothing to him, but he understands enough to follow her story. Sänger and witch... based on her description, it's not necessarily like a sanga alone, after all. It's something he understands even more intimately than that.

The thought feels almost uncanny, somehow. Like he's seeing it from the other side for the first time.

"'Familiar'... in my own way."

It's on that thought that they stumble into the narrow clearing, twisted roots and vines and jungle encroaching across the overgrown path. As the small group begins to disperse around them, finding their positions and following the strategy outlined at the briefing, Leaks gives Alder a close, scrutinising look.

He's still not sold on the notion of a hierarchy, of serving a higher ideal... but at least now, there's something he's interested to see. He smiles thinly.

"We await your signal, correct? You've established a high standard of expectation. I'm interested to see what you can do, if anything."

Inside him, a familiar resonance begins to sound — quiet enough that only the two of them can hear it, for now. It's a decidedly dark, dissonant song compared to Alder's clear tone. The feel of his magic, even after an incredibly brief reprieve, brings a comfortable familiarity to things, but it certainly isn't pleasant to the ear.

Within a moment, Leaks abruptly vanishes from sight.