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A bust of Sappho stands in the hallway, in front of her private library. It is a Lapointe piece - all which remains of a bygone era’s sculpting tradition.

The bust itself is beautiful, Sappho's eyes carved in obsidian, her expression yearning for a girl and for sweet Aphrodite. Claude’s father commissioned the gift when her translations were first published and the Tenth Muse has since then inspired equal parts sisterhood and adoration.

To kiss her on her marble hair is ritual now, before Claude enters her Temple of the Word. For a brief second, they share a nearness across time.