"'Fine' seems relative, but I suppose I can only take your word for it and you're not just being polite about the fact that I'm asking you, whom I met not all that long ago, all sorts of personal questions about things that are not all that pleasant." Julian muses. He does that, pries. He's been told that before. Sometimes his curiosity, his need to understand, makes his a bit callous.

Julian shakes his head and smiles. "Don't be sorry, I asked, didn't I? And it's not too much. It's not something I've heard before, granted, but I'm somewhat used to strange. It sounds a bit complicated though. Ascending, descending. Do you retain anything from these experiences? The memories, or at least any benefits for all your trouble?"