VIII. Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you!

[epigrammatical]

[AUDIO, public. The morning after the event ends and Tu Vishan starts moving again.]

I am not alone, I gather, in detecting a change in the air here. It is rather like waking on the very first day of the Season, with all the possibility that lies ahead—or waking the morning after the last day, with the happy knowledge that one need not be at home to anyone that day. We have, I suppose, escaped the fate of Des Esseintes's tortoise.

---

[AUDIO, private to Dorian Gray.]

I have finished Mr Findley's novel, Dorian. A most marvellous book; quite gorgeous and affecting.

But I must ask you, dear boy—is what he writes about Oscar true?

[He's already guessed that it is. This is less a real question than the confirmation of a sense of creeping dread.]

Comments

voice;

[candystriped]

"That year the seasons seemed to have changed places; after a long succession of rain-storms and fogs, blazing skies, like sheets of white-hot metal, now hung over the earth from horizon to horizon."

[ Stocking pauses after quoting the opening line of the thirteenth chapter. ]

Reads almost like a prophecy if you're really drunk or happen to be stuck on a giant turtle.

voice;

[epigrammatical]

[Henry, it must be said, did not see that coming.]

Ah! You are familiar with the work of M. Huysmans? Wonderful.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

Hmph. I told you I read a lot, didn't I?

[ But there's no real ire in her tone, she's too relieved to be back to her usual angel metabolism. In fact she's actually in what one might call a good mood, for an Anarchy sister. ]

Re: voice;

[epigrammatical]

You did, indeed. My compliments on your taste.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

Speaking of, I have that review written up from La Rabouilleuse.

[ She attaches it to this message and Henry may be surprised to find that it's actually a rather well-written and thoughtful review going into several of the themes of the novel, complete with footnotes and everything. ]

Re: voice;

[epigrammatical]

[Henry really didn't see that coming. He will read it at his leisure later, but even a quick glance reveals the thought that's gone into it.]

You are a scholar, my dear girl.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

[ A compliment? A nice compliment? Her day is even looking up. ]

For all the good that does me, in a place like this.

Re: voice;

[epigrammatical]

Ah, but there are worse pastimes—and here, interesting literature seems to be as so much flotsam from across the worlds.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

I just wish I had something to do. I swear even if I wasn't paid in Heaven Coins I'd take out a Ghost right now.

Re: voice;

[epigrammatical]

Heaven Coins?

[What does that mean? But he has a suggestion for her:]

Do you know, I believe Daowei has mentioned that with the fortunes of the turtle and the city improving, he may be in need of an assistant.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

You mean that bookshop where you work?

[ and then after a moment ]

What's the catch?

voice;

[epigrammatical]

[There's a faint noise that might be a pained cough at "work", but with some resignation, he lets it slide.]

The same. And the only catch, if it may be called one, is that at any moment Daowei may decide he does not care to employ foreigners, but I do not imagine that will happen; we get on quite well, after all.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

[ She doesn't know what else to call it, Henry. Be happy she's not calling you old again. for now ]

How is that different from any other shop in this city?

Re: voice;

[epigrammatical]

No different at all, of course. But he has shown himself to be quite sympathetic, particularly to an honest interest in literature.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

Do I have to meet him?

[ Yes Stocking, that's kind of the point of a job's employer... ]

Re: voice;

[epigrammatical]

That is generally how employment works, yes.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

... all right. Are you going to be there?

Re: voice;

[epigrammatical]

It is very likely that I shall.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

All right.

[ For some reason, that seems to clear something up. ]

Just let me know when, I guess.

Re: voice;

[epigrammatical]

You will find me there tomorrow afternoon, if you like.

Re: voice;

[candystriped]

All right. I'll see you then.