Oh. [ A laugh in turn. ] I don't think I knew that ... or maybe I did and I forgot, which is definitely bad manners. I honestly don't remember how the other kids reacted--I think they were mostly pretty nice--but the spotlight was awful.
[ In his pocket, Matt encounters the one thing he knew he'd have on him, having picked it up while on the Campania. A length of silk ribbon, black edged with gold embroidery. Maybe it was supposed to go on a hat originally; he'd found it on the floor. ]
I'm not opposed to a little bit of learning, [ he adds, pulling the ribbon out and winding it absently around his fingers. ] And I'm pretty rusty, so some teaching might be necessary to make the fun part fun. But I'll try to pick it up quick.
[ He has to be better now than he was at fourteen. He's had a decade in the interim spent on connecting with his body, simple yoga, paying attention to his breath--there's no way he's as bad as he remembers being. ]
no subject
[ In his pocket, Matt encounters the one thing he knew he'd have on him, having picked it up while on the Campania. A length of silk ribbon, black edged with gold embroidery. Maybe it was supposed to go on a hat originally; he'd found it on the floor. ]
I'm not opposed to a little bit of learning, [ he adds, pulling the ribbon out and winding it absently around his fingers. ] And I'm pretty rusty, so some teaching might be necessary to make the fun part fun. But I'll try to pick it up quick.
[ He has to be better now than he was at fourteen. He's had a decade in the interim spent on connecting with his body, simple yoga, paying attention to his breath--there's no way he's as bad as he remembers being. ]