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Orphic said nothing, but the thoughts in his head paused as he thought about her words.

“I think that would help.” Hallie said, “Boots would help you walk.”

“Why are we so calm? I woke up this morning on a beach, and now I’m running through the sewers fleeing the fire that is burning down the only stable home I’ve ever known.” Orphic stopped.

“You mention glory in every minute, but at the same time there is banality. What do you think warriors talk about on the eve of a siege or on the march to war? I don’t doubt what you say of glory, but look at what you say and think of banality.” Hallie deftly shifted the baby and torch between her arms. “We exist in banality, especially in times of stress because there is only one other option. But we use banality to cope.”

“Glory and Banality.”

“Maybe. I’m not sure, in some way my speaking is just banality filling the space because I don’t know what else should be there.”

Orphic looked at Hallie who had stopped walking. She stood straight with the torch pointing towards smooth ceiling of the sewer. A strange blue light reflected off of the water that tricked through the sewer and faintly danced across the ceiling. In the orange glow of the torch Orphic could see the green of Hallie’s eyes. He full red lips that bunched rhythmically, revealing he inner stress. Her face was wet with sweat that had attracted portions of her dark brown hair that had escaped her Skapation coif.

“He’s not waking up.” She said, her eyes staring straight at Orphic as her lips moved.