[it really is sidestepping things, kind of like she knows some people she worked with have done before. ignoring the personal flux of emotion and doubt, focusing instead on the outward to keep distracted and things emotions at bay.

too bad that works only for a very limited amount of time.

wanda follows after him, holding onto the strand—he's taller, so he can busy himself with the branches better than she can.]

Almost a year to my count. [hm—she hopes that time unit works for him. she tries for something smaller,] Several months?

[and yet—]

Some have been here longer, others for shorter before returning home. A fluke in the ritual, no one knows for sure.