Before she left for the other place, the magician's assistant sat on a rock and rested there, cupping her face in one hand. The magician saw and came to squat beside her, so they could talk face to face. She liked it that he did this instinctively, but perhaps it was because he understood more than the rest what she does.

"Are you ready?" he asked. "It's going to be a longer trip this time."
She didn't acknowledge him. She didn't have to.
He carried on. "You know I have no control over where you go. You're just back when you're back."
"I know," she said.
It was his turn to be silent.

And then it was time to go.