"rendering human hope inert" is a line that's going to stay with me (because what else is that profession!?!). the "LICE!" line and honestly that whole first page is excellent
thinking about "measure yourself. do you find yourself wanting?" and wondering about the coffins on the page (people take the glass as a mirror?)
"that living was worth killing for"... (don't have the words for this... it's a lot.)
"can only spit foxfire"... (FUCK!)
the way cormorant.. needs cynosure's help? and is so uneasy, unsure, but desperate at the same time... (and the connection of what it means to choose to experience something (sex, love, life) even fearing regret.)
also the way cormorant's... wavering minimizes cynosure too (cynosure has this... space in the middle of performing(?) for, caring(?) for, guiding(?), manipulating(?), always loving(!!!), and probably other things i can't recognize or name). Loving beyond words.