"Indoors, how novel," Susan remarked in her best attempt at passing, friendly banter. To say she was inexpert at it was to do everyone who had ever engaged in the activity a considerable disservice. Rather than continue with her attempt, she returned his previous gesture and bowed. While the whole action wasn't much deeper than his own had been, it was done with the surety of someone who came from a place where such things were still done.

"Good day," she wished him finally, politely dismissed herself, carefully picked her way around the artwork, and left by way of the path.