[ The very first fragment of Julius' question is funny for at least two reasons, that being the content and its absurdity, that being its delivery. Marcus does him the courtesy of only letting that he thinks so show through the usual configuration of subtle microexpression.

Otherwise, listening, and then turning inwards, thoughtful. ]

I suppose I wait for welcome, [ he says. He pauses, then decides to add; ] I've had very few relationships of that kind. A woman in the Circles. A man during the war.

[ ...that's it, that's the list, but also; ]

And occasional and momentary reprieves otherwise. I think each time, they've begun it. But after—it's different, after.