[ like an indigent child he listens, his eyes following her as she speaks. stuff like this is important—stories are important.

he leans on his elbow and his chin on his palm. ]

It's not just about what's efficient and what's wise. This is their world, and their lives, and their own fates.

[ this hits a bit too close to home, no matter how much he tries to put a gap between "this" and "himself." ]

In doing this—at the behest of ALASTAIR—we may strip them of their free will. Just as we did with Anwick.