Xiulan makes a light gesture in response to Hana’s somewhat garbled words, waiting as pills are swallowed and water drunk. She reflects on the words ‘euphorics help’ and looks around the room. It’s done in a considering sort of way, but she doesn’t end up leaving.

Instead she asks Hana, “Rough time of it since leaving your timeline?” Her voice is quiet, sympathetic. She has her own experiences to channel to make it so.

It’s something they were taught to leverage, she and others. Far, far from here.