It takes a few days. There's the news to share, and Degas's birthday to put together, and naps to take as her body continues to adjust to the world in its new fashion. But she comes to Artemy's clinic soon enough, seeking him out.
In contrast to her demeanor before, full of nerves and strain, she's almost serene. Braced for how this conversation may go, what she is setting at risk by discussing it at all, but steady. He is owed this. And after what she's been through, speaking it aloud doesn't scare her as much anymore. Now it can be said. Now it should be said. Now it will be said.
"Artemy? Are you busy?"
(but there's been a shift in the Lines, hasn't there. something drawn as taut as a dog's leash while the beast strains, desperate for release, has been cut. changed. redrawn.)
early january.
In contrast to her demeanor before, full of nerves and strain, she's almost serene. Braced for how this conversation may go, what she is setting at risk by discussing it at all, but steady. He is owed this. And after what she's been through, speaking it aloud doesn't scare her as much anymore. Now it can be said. Now it should be said. Now it will be said.
"Artemy? Are you busy?"
(but there's been a shift in the Lines, hasn't there. something drawn as taut as a dog's leash while the beast strains, desperate for release, has been cut. changed. redrawn.)