[janus has no way of knowing all that the other hunter is reflecting on, but they recognize something in the words that alec chooses, the way that he thinks about this. control is a fallacy but always necessary for the balance as well. they've spent their whole life meditating and grappling with the terrible work they must do.] That makes sense, [they say.] There's the emotional experience, and then there's the behavior.

[their feet squelch pleasantly. they listen to the patter of rain, and think about ezekiel living in their house, holding onto the hope a relationship will grow out of the backward mess of their beach encounter and a high school affair. it's ridiculous. somehow, it had felt immature to turn him away.]

It's better to treat people respectfully, but sometimes it's hard to tell what that means for different individuals.