"It's a year and a day, technically," he said. "But people have been known to wait until the other person leaves the house and then throw all their things on the doorstep and declare they've divorced. There's an old story about that--an old man knew his wife was trying to divorce him so he just wouldn't step out of doors until she changed her mind."

Goneril laughed. "And that's really all you have to do?" she asked. "People...they can get divorced at home, but it's quite arduous."

"That's all you have to do," he said, "but the other person can contest it if they want. I had to sit through Niabheara hearing out a plaint when I were staying here a few years back. Some woman wanted to divorce her husband because he'd been hurt and couldn't walk anymore." He wrinkled his nose, indicating how he felt about that. "Niabheara said she could only leave him if she gave up two-thirds of her property for his maintenance. I think she stuck around."

"Well, it would have made things easier for Mira," Goneril said, frowning. "At home, divorce is just...it's not really done. I don't know anyone who's had one."

"That's what Mira said when I asked her," he said. "Elaine says it's the same way with her people: you pretty much have to wait for them to die." He frowned. "I am going to chalk all this up to another one of those things where we're all ass-backwards. I'm discovering more and more of them firsthand as of late."

"I don't think it's wrong that someone should wait till their spouse dies," Goneril replied. "So long as their spouse hasn't wronged them. Anyway. I think that's more what it is for me. I'm just not sure how it's ever going to work."

"I suppose it depends on what your idea of working is," he replied. "El and I both know we don't want to be married but we don't want to be apart either. As long as that happens, it works. I guess you just need to decide what you want of him."

"What I want of him that's realistic, you mean," Goneril said. "I know what I want-want, but it's not plausible. And I suppose I need to find out what he wants, too."

"Probably helpful," he said. "Wait a month and see if he can't live without you?"

Goneril grinned. "Maybe," she said, a little shyly. "What...if it were you...what would you want a lady to send you?"