Memories of Ice (Malazan Book of the Fallen, #3)

by Steven Erikson

‘Their communication,’ Tool said, ‘is mostly non-verbal. They assert dominance with posture, faint gestures, direction of stance and tilt of head.’ Toc blinked. ‘They do? Oh. Then why haven’t I, in my ignorance, been cut down long ago?’

Autism?

a constant tension in his life. Perhaps in all our lives. Unfamiliar faces, gauging regard, every sense heightened in an effort to read the unknown. The natural efforts of society. Do we all possess a wish to remain unseen, unnoticed? Is the witnessing of our actions by others our greatest restraint?

Autism.

The cessation of their shrieks brought sudden silence to the scene.

Bars

‘Something … flowery,’

what is he implying...