Annunu dozed, nearly on the edge of sleep, his warm body nestled up against her, her arm around him.
The party had been a revelation. She had been sharpened to a razor's edge by the preparations, the planning, the foresight, the mutual discussions. They had gone in together: she was the airheaded socialite out to reclaim her reputation - and her fortune - at any price; Master Gogonji was the dour, ascetic scholar who sought entry into higher society to facilitate business deals, and cared for little more than the balance of his ledgers at the end of the day. They had circulated in the party without care or notice for each other, working entirely different sets of contacts without pause, laying down their personas in ways both subtle and obvious.
But now... it was over, and it had begun. She curled into the welcoming warmth beside her, stroking his head, receiving a sleepy noise of acknowledgement in return. She hadn't expected this. She hadn't expected a moment of true happiness. She hadn't expected a loving companion, no matter what ruse they were playing, no matter what role they performed for the audience.
Now, if only she knew what to name him.
Master Gogonji, she thought drowsily, always knew how to elevate something ordinary - the scent of oranges, a bathhouse, the Ewer card, and now a puppy - into something precious to her.
The party had been a revelation. She had been sharpened to a razor's edge by the preparations, the planning, the foresight, the mutual discussions. They had gone in together: she was the airheaded socialite out to reclaim her reputation - and her fortune - at any price; Master Gogonji was the dour, ascetic scholar who sought entry into higher society to facilitate business deals, and cared for little more than the balance of his ledgers at the end of the day. They had circulated in the party without care or notice for each other, working entirely different sets of contacts without pause, laying down their personas in ways both subtle and obvious.
But now... it was over, and it had begun. She curled into the welcoming warmth beside her, stroking his head, receiving a sleepy noise of acknowledgement in return. She hadn't expected this. She hadn't expected a moment of true happiness. She hadn't expected a loving companion, no matter what ruse they were playing, no matter what role they performed for the audience.
Now, if only she knew what to name him.
Master Gogonji, she thought drowsily, always knew how to elevate something ordinary - the scent of oranges, a bathhouse, the Ewer card, and now a puppy - into something precious to her.
People have forgotten this truth. But you mustn't forget it. You become responsible forever for what you have tamed.
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