“Did you get a new floret?”

 

“No, he belongs to someone called Liliac. She asked me to take care of him for a few days.”

 

“You don’t know her?”

 

“I’m closer with Mats. We met at a panel the other day. Before you ask, his owner took him to the conference as a treat. She was bored stiff the whole time.”

 

“Aw, do you like studying, little floret?”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

“And what are you working on now?”

 

“Whether to include a footnote to my translation of Hamlet that explains how English infinitives work. They’re central to one of the soliloquies and I want to make sure the subtleties from the English carry over. Not in the main translation, but at least a footnote. I might also just write a quick guide to English grammar as an appendix. What do you think, Heyacith?”

 

“I think it’s time for you to eat and spend five minutes outside.”

 

“But I just ate!”

 

“That was six hours ago, Mats. Liliac won’t thank me if I let you wear yourself out. Your physical needs are her responsibility, and if I’m taking care of you that makes them mine.”