< I took them out to open my door, and I dropped them. > Suyan lowered her head and squinted into the moss growing in the cracks between the stones as if trying to bring it into focus. When her nose was within an inch of the moss and it showed in every fine detail, she paused, mute.

< Why you drop the keys? > Hawk prompted awkwardly. She raised her head a little, staring.

After a very long time, she said, < I was startled, that's all. > Something about a white flash, a lanyard strung with objects in midair. She continued thoughtfully, < ...I was at my door, and I dropped my keys, because... > The white flash was behind her, illuminating her in silhouette for just a moment. She turned and looked up into Hawk's shifting faces as though only just realizing. < There were people who startled me. >

< Who? > Hawk asked.