He nods. The rift took the way I usually speak and made it more literal, he explains. He lifts his free hand, making a few one-handed signs with it. I speak with my hands. First with sign language and now, thanks to the rift, with touch telepathy.

He stares at his free hand for a moment, eyes distant, then smiles crookedly. It is a lot easier being able to talk to someone this way, instead of writing everything down or teaching them how to read signs. It isn't always easy for the person I talk to, though, as you know, he adds, smile turning slightly sad and rueful.