Chapter 46
“If you do want to know,” Nerein said, “I like music. I’m average as a pipe-player, I’ve never been better than decent, but I like to listen. It’s not anything impressive. It’s not even doing anything, I know, you don’t have to make fun of me. It’s not like you. Having work. Going out on your boat. Bringing food to people.”
“Listening’s important.” His hand was very close to that dark graceful one, where Nerein had set it on a rock as a hand-hold. Water rushed in between them as a wave arrived. “That matters. If someone’s performing, and you’re genuinely listening, appreciating, applauding, they’ll be made happier because of it. That’s a big thing you’re doing.”
“How,” Nerein started, shook his head, started over. “How do you do that? Every time. I say something that shouldn’t be—that should just be nothing—and you make it sound worthwhile.”