[Liem is not sure how to feel about the reassurance that Set offers. He does not feel as though he deserves it, as though he has been living up to his side of their covenant of friendship — one that grows more tenuous by his own actions, as the other man attempts to shore up the weaknesses between them. And yet, despite the god's words, he feels rudderless; he does not know how he could turn around to meet him, even if he were resolved to.

But it does make him smile to see Set wear his earring, small and unassuming though it is. Liem clasps the remaining stud into his own ear, pleased by the wry warning that he receives as the god is examining the new "pair."]

Please do. I think it suits you very well.

[He is not used to seeing studs on Set, just as he is not used to wearing long earrings on his own ears, but the asymmetry of the earrings is reminiscent, in a way, of their own strange relationship. They are two companions who are very unalike; but, together, they are not as asynchronous as might be supposed.

Abandoning his mirror for the moment, Liem scoops his waistcoat up from the bed to button it over his shirt and tie. He feels, in this ensemble, about as ready as he ever will to find out what a theatre date with Set entails. A little nervousness does nip at the back of his neck, but as he well knows by now, looking good goes a long way to instilling confidence. He just needs a nice pair of shoes and some sunglasses to hide his eyes, and he will be golden.]

You flatter me, Set. Were you so grieved, that you didn't get the chance to dance with me?

Everything else I need is downstairs, on the way out, so we need not linger here much longer.