[ This, she thinks, is how she wants to remember him: crackling with energy. He puts a smile on her face. ]

I speak all the languages of men. [ She says it breezily, the pauses, amends herself: ] All the languages of Earth. [ There's a nuance there, brought upon by their circumstances. ] I suppose they are all similar, to me.

[ She motions past her, to the hallway. Maybe it would be better they stepped out for this. ] Were you about to be away? We could walk together.