[ as the rise of the fierce sun in the morning sky is a story always told, so is the way kaveh's temper reaches its threshold: ]

Did you hear none of what I just said? I was being considerate! I was trying to reach a compromise, even! This has nothing to do with negotiating!

[ yet, still, in the same heartbeat, the same breath, the same burning flame: ] And in case you're curious, I was a perfectly fine negotiator!

[ it feels utterly foolish now, that kaveh allowed himself to see a hopeful future for the both of them. but no. absolutely not. not after he had put his heart out on display, behaved like a proper servant, even. so much for a proper, meaningful bond between a master and his servant. so much for trust.

kaveh crosses his arms, and looks away. ]

Good luck figuring out how to reconstruct that memory yourself.

[ speckles of golden light take kaveh's visage away, and in the blink of an eye, he is gone.

except, of course, he is still there — as though he could so easily turn his back to someone who needs him. ]