[ He watches her seem to drift within her mind as she speaks, and resists the urge to put a hand on hers to draw her back. Something seems to snap into place on its own for her, though. Rousma, where she lies on her back, flips over to push her cold, wet nose against River's leg.

The center of everything, the creator of all. Part of him and everything. That has been Parfir to him, for as long as he can remember. And now the Singularity is that, too. That is why he became confused, at the end of that long life. When John-Parfir-the Rifter-the Singularity where not just made of the same divine fabric, but all one in the same. He kept hold of many memories, yet he still lost the most important pieces. He replaced what hurt with someone else's stolen life, and let it become twisted up in the life he had made here. It scares him.

He frowns again at her question. ]

I think I want it to be. [ A friend. He shakes his head. ] Maybe it's both. I don't know if I am meant to stay here. But I want to.

[ In Abraxas. Maybe it is an anchor, at least what he's seeking from the Singularity. Some strength to this bond that will promise that he can stay. ]

I think it's okay to miss it. To want to find it again.