[ She watches him, curious. That's the difference, isn't it? That to Rhy, the Singularity feels empty and cold and too big, and to Julie, it feels the opposite. Comfortable and warm and deeply intimate. Her life might not be tied to the Singularity in exactly the same way as his, but she is still definitely tied to it.

But all of this does, at least, explain why the Singularity is interested in Rhy. She's still at a loss when it comes to herself.

Leaning her head back against the monolith, she glances upward toward the top. She can't see it from this angle, but she can picture it. ]

I think I'd choose the Singularity. People abandon each other. Get angry. Hold grudges. I don't think the Singularity can think that way. Like a person. Feels safer, to me. [ She takes a drink from her goblet and shrugs, voice getting drier. ] But then I never had any brothers or sisters, so. Y'know. Grain of salt and all.