“You can’t change who you are,” Shao said, Shao Lune the perfect, coiled ideal of Falcrest womanhood, who would never need to change. “And that’s why it’s good I’m here with you. Because”—she folded Baru’s hand between hers—“I can tell you the truth. Which is that you’re being weak, and sentimental, and stupid. It doesn’t matter if you feel bad. It doesn’t matter if you’re tired or sad. You need to work.”
