Paul thinks of Falco again, and then, as far from that kind, affectionate boy as a black hole is from a star (born of the same stuff, points on a continuum) he thinks of Chara.

“I know what you mean.” He wishes he hadn’t palmed the shell. He wishes he hadn’t done a lot of things, but if wishes were fishes we’d all casts nets, or so the saying goes on Caladan.

“I can think of a way to put it. Not a lie, but not harsh.” He pauses there, could stop, but: “Did you ever find out what you wanted to know?”