[The sympathy living in Liem’s expression remains quietly in place despite Matt’s protests. He isn’t dissuaded by the insistence that Matt chose what he’s now living through, or by his insistence on referring to it like an inconvenience he just hasn’t yet become used to. And he isn’t tempted to rescind his compassion simply because Matt might not think he’s earned it. In his own storied experience, that is exactly when compassion from others is most needed.]
All right.
[A simple acknowledgement. Right now, he won’t ask what was so important that Matt felt he needed to sever his own hand for it. And although he knows that sometimes the very point of a choice is that you must live with its consequences, he hopes that Matt isn’t letting the weight of them burden him more than he actually has to.
Liem almost speaks that thought aloud; he seems poised to, on the heels of his acknowledgement. But instead hesitates—and then he shifts the flask from his left hand to his right.]
May I ask you something, about your other hand?
[His fingertips brush it with all the cautious precision of someone trying to free a live falcon from tangled wire, skimming from his wrist down to the flesh of his palm.]
no subject
All right.
[A simple acknowledgement. Right now, he won’t ask what was so important that Matt felt he needed to sever his own hand for it. And although he knows that sometimes the very point of a choice is that you must live with its consequences, he hopes that Matt isn’t letting the weight of them burden him more than he actually has to.
Liem almost speaks that thought aloud; he seems poised to, on the heels of his acknowledgement. But instead hesitates—and then he shifts the flask from his left hand to his right.]
May I ask you something, about your other hand?
[His fingertips brush it with all the cautious precision of someone trying to free a live falcon from tangled wire, skimming from his wrist down to the flesh of his palm.]
This mark. How do you feel about it?