[Technically, she could have. She could have put a tiny pink cat-shaped eraser in and made a pussy joke. She could have given him a gift card to a grocery store. But she didn't, and as he opens the pouch, curious, takes out the burnished metal object in a hand, weighs it, looks at her, looks at it, then opens it slowly, it's clear that he hadn't expected something like this. If he'd expected anything at all.
He can't be surprised that she's experienced and generous with gift giving, but best surprised anyway. he stares into the sun dial, glances over into the compass. turns himself, a little to watch the needle spin itself, ever pointing north.
Part of him wonders for a moment, irrationally, that if he goes home, whether it might lead him back to here. This moment, this place. Irrational. Or only in memory. It'll be good enough.] I love it very much, [he says, once he can say anything again. His voice is scratchy. Eudio has made him soft, like it made Cassidy soft. Like he'd been soft when he was a child, Cassidy thieving rolls for him from the dinner table. Gifts make you soft. And he'll kill anyone who tries to take this one from him.]
SCREAMS I LOVE THIS
He can't be surprised that she's experienced and generous with gift giving, but best surprised anyway. he stares into the sun dial, glances over into the compass. turns himself, a little to watch the needle spin itself, ever pointing north.
Part of him wonders for a moment, irrationally, that if he goes home, whether it might lead him back to here. This moment, this place. Irrational. Or only in memory. It'll be good enough.] I love it very much, [he says, once he can say anything again. His voice is scratchy. Eudio has made him soft, like it made Cassidy soft. Like he'd been soft when he was a child, Cassidy thieving rolls for him from the dinner table. Gifts make you soft. And he'll kill anyone who tries to take this one from him.]
Thank you, Kenzi.