The one time that Ishiah felt tempted, on the island, to look to someone for guidance, he wasn't given it. The lack thereof didn't make Ishiah angry, it wasn't even enough to upset the peri, as numb and hurt and hollow as everything made him. But it did hit him with a twinge, and jolted him to the further realization that there were still people on the island who were looking to Ishiah for that. Who would let him take the lead, because he was the eldest among them, if not always the wisest. The peri loved the Leandros brothers in his own way— Cal he knew more intimately, having been the boy's employer for years, but Niko was also important to Ishiah and easier for him to identify with. At least they were there, he thought to himself.

And a moment of clarify passed through his eyes as he looked up. "I have no reason to keep you from searching, if you would like, although I have done my best," he nodded slowly. "Is Caliban around? I—"

He fell silent. How was he supposed to say that he wanted, hoped that he could deliver the news, or at least be there for that millisecond of empathy?