[Iskierka meets Paul's eyes as he looks at her (so small, against an impossibility) and returns the nod. This is an echo of something she witnessed; the continued fulfillment of a promise is easy to comprehend.
So is the change in Kaworu's demeanor. Had she despaired, had she capacity, she would have hope now (an emblem in effigy of the Pthumerian she halfway resembles, the one to whom her Sleeper owed patronage).
She picks up the pen again, turning the page. Waits, until Paul's attention shifts back to the younger boy he supports--then begins to write anew.
This message is shorter.]
This may be the first time I've started dictating this or the second-to-last. I have not numbered my starts. What will matter (matters) is how it's finished.
(So much to observe. So much to memorize if I can. The magnitude of what she's proposed--thirteen targets and the Throne in two days--and the enormity of it-- The dead are made for what's impossible for the living but there were always more of us.
We won't have the time for a proper briefing. Have the luxury. Best I memorize as much as I can. Condense. Concentrate.)
Queen and Throne. (And twelve beside Her.) Thirteen targets and who knows how many rescuers. Easier to leave me for lost. But if they won't--leaving them unprepared is as good as killing them.
(Argonaut, Polaris, do you still hear me? Don't inspire them to foolishness. But if you must, give me clarity to guide them. Give me some way to reach them.)
Then, to begin: The first thing you must understand about Nephele is the Throne----
no subject
So is the change in Kaworu's demeanor. Had she despaired, had she capacity, she would have hope now (an emblem in effigy of the Pthumerian she halfway resembles, the one to whom her Sleeper owed patronage).
She picks up the pen again, turning the page. Waits, until Paul's attention shifts back to the younger boy he supports--then begins to write anew.
This message is shorter.]
This may be the first time I've started dictating this or the second-to-last. I have not numbered my starts. What will matter (matters) is how it's finished.
(So much to observe. So much to memorize if I can. The magnitude of what she's proposed--thirteen targets and the Throne in two days--and the enormity of it-- The dead are made for what's impossible for the living but there were always more of us.
We won't have the time for a proper briefing. Have the luxury. Best I memorize as much as I can. Condense. Concentrate.)
Queen and Throne. (And twelve beside Her.) Thirteen targets and who knows how many rescuers. Easier to leave me for lost. But if they won't--leaving them unprepared is as good as killing them.
(Argonaut, Polaris, do you still hear me? Don't inspire them to foolishness. But if you must, give me clarity to guide them. Give me some way to reach them.)
Then, to begin: The first thing you must understand about Nephele is the Throne----
[She runs out of words in a smear of ink.
Connection lost.]