Later, he will remember this, slap to the face: that she laughs, for all she agrees to Five's request. That they are as nothing to her, slivers of misplaced want, irrelevant and ephemeral. That they are allowed to go just as they have come, without constraint or duress.
That more supplicants wait in the room of cushions that they only glimpse, passing by through a secondary, narrow corridor. Perhaps this is how their predecessors were also seen out, excused from sight and mind.
It rains, when they step out in crisp, battering air. It rained before, also. It rains at all times.
no subject
( The woman laughs.
Later, he will remember this, slap to the face: that she laughs, for all she agrees to Five's request. That they are as nothing to her, slivers of misplaced want, irrelevant and ephemeral. That they are allowed to go just as they have come, without constraint or duress.
That more supplicants wait in the room of cushions that they only glimpse, passing by through a secondary, narrow corridor. Perhaps this is how their predecessors were also seen out, excused from sight and mind.
It rains, when they step out in crisp, battering air. It rained before, also. It rains at all times.
He lingers by the door. )
This need not be something spoken of.
( Translation: they will not speak of this. )