update from sparkleup

writing/post-self/neviim/local/tycho/016.md

@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 # Tycho Brahe --- 2346
 
+    Convergence T+28 days, 5 hours, 57 minutes
+
 "I don't own a suit, and while I could have picked one up, it seemed like too much work for the occasion," Tycho said once the clock struck eight and he'd stood from his seat at the head of the table. "So the usual jeans and flannel it is."
 
 Those gathered laughed.
 
-They'd claimed a portion of the plaza for his last dinner, setting up a long table not too dissimilar from that which they'd sat at for the conference. He had sat at one end, and at the other True Name sat, smiling and watching him rise for his speech. To his right sat Codrin and eir two partners, both of whom had spent much of the evening conversing with each other and the few scientists who sat to his left. He'd not missed the fact that they seemed to be ignoring the other three Odists as best they could other than to accept praise for the food they'd cooked for the occasion.
+They'd claimed a portion of the plaza for his last dinner, setting up a long table not too dissimilar from that which they'd sat at for the conference. He had sat at one end, and at the other True Name sat, smiling and watching him rise for his speech. To his right sat Codrin and eir two partners, both of whom had spent much of the evening conversing with each other and the few scientists who sat to his left and the Artemisians beyond. He'd not missed the fact that they seemed to be ignoring the other three Odists as best they could other than to accept praise for the food they'd cooked for the occasion.
 
 Those scientists included Dr. Verda and several of his other colleagues who had served as on-duty astronomer for Castor throughout the long years.
 
@@ -14,7 +16,7 @@ Beyond them, Sovanna sat across from Answers Will Not Help --- a move that surel
 
 The dinner had been his idea, and the speech True Name's. He'd balked at it originally, but in the end, she'd won out, convincing him that if he was headed to a place where he could forget, making his last moments on Castor memorable should be a priority.
 
-Luckily, for all his nerves, he'd always done well at giving talks at conferences, and the two glasses of wine he'd already had certainly helped.
+Luckily, for all his nerves, he'd always done well at giving talks at conferences, and the two and a half glasses of wine he'd already had certainly helped.
 
 "When it was suggested that I give a little speech before I go, I was at a loss for what to talk about. I mean, I guess I could talk about the stars or something, but I've bored enough of you to death already with that, and Stolon and I will have time enough on Artemis."
 
@@ -54,7 +56,7 @@ There were some smiles around the table, but no laughter. All were focused entir
 
 He lifted his half-full glass of wine to the sky and, even as the other members of the dinner began to lift theirs, downed it in two coarse swallows. "Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light. I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night."
 
-Perhaps they said goodbye to him, calling out. Perhaps some of them did cry, as he knew he would if he stayed any longer.
+Perhaps they toasted to him. Perhaps they said goodbye to him, calling out. Perhaps some of them did cry, as he knew he would if he stayed any longer.
 
 He didn't know. 
 
@@ -62,7 +64,7 @@ Before he could look, before he could listen, he set his glass down, turned on h
 
 Within, there was a small pedestal that bore a plaque he'd read countless times by now: *Place your hand on the pedestal below and hold it there for ten seconds. This is a **transfer process** of the current instance, so please be sure to leave a fork behind.*
 
-He did not leave a fork behind. He simply closed his eyes, put his hand on the pedestal, and waited.
+He did not leave a fork behind. He simply closed his eyes, put his hand on the pedestal, and waited, counting heartbeats.
 
 There it was.