Once Naugus makes his vow, Schön declares, "witnessed." The world around them seems to throb with the word, as though they stood within a massive heart which gave a single beat. For just a moment, Schön seems somehow other, and the cane in his hand a great staff. But the vision passes, if it had ever been to begin with.

"That does begin to soothe ruffled feathers, so to speak. Still, Sergeant Suou, I would be grateful for some small warning before something is done to the portal, if that would not be an undue hardship?"