[ He wonders what might happen if he woke up. If he snapped awake now, would Lazarus be left driftless on an incomplete map— marooned in the dark? Or would it give him the freedom to roam this holy landscape unsupervised? ]
For a minute there I felt a little important.
[ This is a hilarious joke, and they both know it. The magic of Deer Country is too unknown to him, too unreliable; he will not take his chances. He says, pleasantly: ]
Take your time, then. But show some respect. I am the final guardian of this place... even its memory. [ His smile is sharp and cold; his crown of children's bones is still flexing, a slow constant writhe. ] Especially its memory. Try not to break anything.
[ He turns, then, to that door blazed up and down with hazard striping. It opens for him because it always has; because he knows it will. Beyond is a hallway in the same stark metal and fluorescents, with darkened doorways beyond. ]
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For a minute there I felt a little important.
[ This is a hilarious joke, and they both know it. The magic of Deer Country is too unknown to him, too unreliable; he will not take his chances. He says, pleasantly: ]
Take your time, then. But show some respect. I am the final guardian of this place... even its memory. [ His smile is sharp and cold; his crown of children's bones is still flexing, a slow constant writhe. ] Especially its memory. Try not to break anything.
[ He turns, then, to that door blazed up and down with hazard striping. It opens for him because it always has; because he knows it will. Beyond is a hallway in the same stark metal and fluorescents, with darkened doorways beyond. ]