OOM: Anita finds Damian...
Damian is in Nathaniel's bedroom, reading an Old Norse translation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching provided to him by Bar. He doubts he ever would have found such a book in America, or even in the known world in 1996. He is positive no one translates into Old Norse anymore. The language is a piece of home in a strange place, though, and the material thought-compelling.
I have heard that he who is skilful in managing the life entrusted to him
for a time travels on the land without having to shun rhinoceros or tiger,
and enters a host without having to avoid buff coat or sharp weapon.
The rhinoceros finds no place in him into which to thrust its horn,
nor the tiger a place in which to fix its claws,
nor the weapon a place to admit its point. And for what reason?
Because there is in him no place of death.
Fascinating... He hadn't been allowed such philosophical texts to read when he was in the care of She who made him. He had only been well read enough to be able to spout flowery language at court when she chose to take him. Censorhip at its best... or worst, he supposes.
The night is uneventful, enjoyably so.
He almost can't remember the last time he simply sat quietly and read. He has never been included in the reading group when Nathaniel, Micah, and Anita get together. He is not pard, though, so he justifies his isolation as a combination of that and the simple fact that his presence would make Anita too uncomfortable to enjoy the literary sharing.
Solitude is not out of the ordinary for Damian, though. Therefore, he tolerates it a little better than most.
I have heard that he who is skilful in managing the life entrusted to him
for a time travels on the land without having to shun rhinoceros or tiger,
and enters a host without having to avoid buff coat or sharp weapon.
The rhinoceros finds no place in him into which to thrust its horn,
nor the tiger a place in which to fix its claws,
nor the weapon a place to admit its point. And for what reason?
Because there is in him no place of death.
Fascinating... He hadn't been allowed such philosophical texts to read when he was in the care of She who made him. He had only been well read enough to be able to spout flowery language at court when she chose to take him. Censorhip at its best... or worst, he supposes.
The night is uneventful, enjoyably so.
He almost can't remember the last time he simply sat quietly and read. He has never been included in the reading group when Nathaniel, Micah, and Anita get together. He is not pard, though, so he justifies his isolation as a combination of that and the simple fact that his presence would make Anita too uncomfortable to enjoy the literary sharing.
Solitude is not out of the ordinary for Damian, though. Therefore, he tolerates it a little better than most.