[The water's wide but sound carries here like they're in a small, echoey room together. There's a pang of regret in Prior's voice as he replies.]
No. I would've been if I could.
[Water dances round his ankles as he walks to Byerly's side, crouching there. There's nothing solid beneath him, but it doesn't seem to matter so long as he doesn't think about it. He thinks about raising things up.]
But I'm here now, and it's time to stop treading water. [The arm he offers out to be held onto isn't as frail and birdlike as the one twined with Byerly's in a bed somewhere miles away. He's whole and healthy here, a good twenty pounds heavier, someone who looks and feels young and strong.] Come with me?
[There's a boat now, out on the skyline, silhouetted black.]
no subject
No. I would've been if I could.
[Water dances round his ankles as he walks to Byerly's side, crouching there. There's nothing solid beneath him, but it doesn't seem to matter so long as he doesn't think about it. He thinks about raising things up.]
But I'm here now, and it's time to stop treading water. [The arm he offers out to be held onto isn't as frail and birdlike as the one twined with Byerly's in a bed somewhere miles away. He's whole and healthy here, a good twenty pounds heavier, someone who looks and feels young and strong.] Come with me?
[There's a boat now, out on the skyline, silhouetted black.]