"You've got to know your borders to cross them, so to say," Teige explained. "Close your eyes. Start taking slow, deep breaths."

The sunlight was coming down through a large round skylight in the ceiling of the lecture hall that they sat in, and all was silent except for Teige speaking softly. Yoshi fidgeted.

"Think about how your lungs fill and empty. In...and out."

Yoshi put her hands on her thighs to stop herself fidgeting, and tried to do as Teige instructed. They sat at the edge of the pool of light coming in from overhead; the tiered seats faded into darkness further away.

"Pick out the shape of your ribs. Try to get a sense of the muscles that move them."

Yoshi exhaled, and relaxed back against the wall that separated them from the tier of seats above.

"In...out. In...out..."

Numair took a deep breath, then sighed. He hesitated for a moment longer, idly fluffing his hair between his fingers, brow knit. He was standing on the porch, at the front door, indecisive.

< This is a bad idea, > he said out loud, to himself. Nevertheless, he raised his hand, and after another moment of considering what a bad idea it was, he knocked.