[ At some future point. When he returns. In a month or so.
Ellis doesn't quantify. He is quiet for a moment, long enough that it passes the point where he might feasibly be considering more discussion of the goat. The Fortress is not silent, but the noise of it is lower, echoing up to his perch. He'd like her to keep speaking very much, and yet— ]
Nonsense, Mister Ellis. I keep you for the pleasure of your company, which I can hardly provide for myself. —Though I will say that you've been doing a very poor job these last few weeks.
[ Immediate, even if Ellis cannot say for certain when soon might be.
And here he might say good-bye. Or he might say any other number of things. They are close at hand. And he has missed her so terribly.
But no. The line remains open though, while he grapples with his own reluctance. Perhaps the deep breath he draws on the other end of it is even audible. But then he twists the crystal off, severing the connection ]
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[ At some future point. When he returns. In a month or so.
Ellis doesn't quantify. He is quiet for a moment, long enough that it passes the point where he might feasibly be considering more discussion of the goat. The Fortress is not silent, but the noise of it is lower, echoing up to his perch. He'd like her to keep speaking very much, and yet— ]
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I will be very cross if you come back only to judge the attractiveness of my goat.
[Which, to be fair, isn't really about the farm animal.]
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I've other reasons. I swear.
But I'll not be able to do this again. You'll have to make do with Aliki for now.
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[Saying 'months' would be depressing.]
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[Sounds petulant even to her own ear.]
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He's missed her. ]
You'll find out when I've returned.
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When?
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[ Then, somehow quieter— ]
I need to go now, Wysteria.
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Please come back soon, Mister Ellis.
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[ Immediate, even if Ellis cannot say for certain when soon might be.
And here he might say good-bye. Or he might say any other number of things. They are close at hand. And he has missed her so terribly.
But no. The line remains open though, while he grapples with his own reluctance. Perhaps the deep breath he draws on the other end of it is even audible. But then he twists the crystal off, severing the connection ]