[ Rau’s eyes narrow thoughtfully, invisibly, behind the mask for a moment. Then he stands and crosses the short distance between them, through the graveyard of chess pieces; his movements are as fluid, confident. He stops just in front of Gil, places a gloved hand over Gil’s own without leaning down. He is dead, and the touch does not have the physical warmth of Talia’s arms. ]

Oh, yes.

[ The words and gesture are a wholehearted affirmation. ]

Our rejections are identical and opposite, and our contradiction is an elegant refutation in and of itself.