[No. No, he has no idea what is going on. He knows only that he found a book in the temple gardens, that he can think of no reason why any of the other occupants would have been reading such a thing, and that the Princess, therefore, is probably wondering where she must have left it. It is a pleasant day - a little too pleasant, if anything - but even morning dew is enough to seriously trouble a book. It is only correct that he should return it.
[He is not expecting to find the Princess by the temple doors, one sleeve drawn high. Of course Kija knows it is merely an arm, but he averts his gaze anyway. She would not be doing such a thing, unless something troubled her, so it is much better not to look.]
no subject
[This--
[No. No, he has no idea what is going on. He knows only that he found a book in the temple gardens, that he can think of no reason why any of the other occupants would have been reading such a thing, and that the Princess, therefore, is probably wondering where she must have left it. It is a pleasant day - a little too pleasant, if anything - but even morning dew is enough to seriously trouble a book. It is only correct that he should return it.
[He is not expecting to find the Princess by the temple doors, one sleeve drawn high. Of course Kija knows it is merely an arm, but he averts his gaze anyway. She would not be doing such a thing, unless something troubled her, so it is much better not to look.]
You have not been stung, have you?
[Bugs.
[Why were they permitted?]