Chéri played with the wine a little and then added “Just make clear you are not offering any, then you will see how many stop. If none, you can always leave.” They were apparently a believer into oversimplification.

Calliope kept looking at Darius while Darius told his story and they kept being unfazed, even when Darius touched them. Considering they had thought, at least at the beginning, they were there in part to provide intimacy and sex, having their face touched was no surprise. “Yes. And if after five paintings I like you, yes. And I see no reason why I shouldn’t. This house is a bit creepy, granted, but I can see myself wanting to see you again. And you can come whenever you want to visit me to the diamond pony, in fact, you are welcome and encouraged to do so. After all, they let me stay there because of the people who might want to visit me.” Calliope could not start to fathom why Darius saw himself as such a disgusting being.

To console him, Calliope stood up with swift and practical movement and tried to put their hand on the top of Darius’s hair, brushing it tenderly, while their eyes closed partially in a serene expression. “How is that worse than never seeing her again?