Frustrating to come all this way for insults and a dead end, but at least the speed of the train meant she hadn’t wasted too much time. Orfeus turned to go and blinked. Significance O’Hallow smiled graciously and stepped back out of her personal space.

“I was wondering if you would have a word with me,” O’Hallow said. “My life’s interest is in the mechanics of Blood, and also in the limits and possibilities of adapting, advancing, the human body. Your records and associations make me think it would be interesting for us to have a conversation.”

“I just said that I don’t want you lot to study me,” Orfeus said, as politely as she could. Significance O’Hallow seemed a little removed from the world, a scholar, and in some obscure way xe reminded her of Linden.

“I have fresh fruit,” Significance said hopefully. “You can have some, if you like. We get shipments from the orchards daily.”

“Daily,” Orfeus said wistfully. She hadn’t made it to the swap-market that week, hadn’t managed to trade a spare head of lettuce or two for a basket of fresh strawberries. What she wouldn’t do for strawberries. She licked her lips and considered. “If you have some going …”

O’Hallow smiled white and even and took a step back, waving backward with one sleeve, and tripping a little on the trailing end of xyr elaborate robe.

Significance O’Hallow led Orfeus through a winding passage into a smaller and more private room, one with plants merely in pots on the floor and hanging from the ceiling rather than taking up every inch of space. There was a basin of cool clear water on a stand as well as the promised fruits, a bowl of strawberries and small oranges and grapes.

Significance O’Hallow dipped xyr hands in water, then flicked the water off xyr fingers. Xe tugged at xyr rich cream robes, looking vaguely dissatisfied, and pulled on a royal purple cloak that looked soft to the touch.

O’Hallow didn’t say Orfeus could help herself, but xe didn’t say she couldn’t either. Orfeus ate two strawberries in quick succession, savouring the sweet burst of sunlight-taste on her tongue.

O’Hallow turned to her and vaguely picked up a grape. “So your records—” xe said.

Orfeus finished her third strawberry and interrupted, “I really don’t know why I’m such an outlier. Maybe I’m just that unique.”

“—your records,” Significance said, vaguely. Xe waved xyr grape, then put it down on the small pillar that held the water basin. “Orfeus the singer. Yes. Your records say you have close association with some citizens of Farflung.”

Xe had a vague air, and xyr blue eyes were wide and harmless. “Fairly close,” Orfeus said warily. “Why?”