"There's always a lull." The soft gruff agreement came from a still downtilted head.

His suspicions had nothing to do with his upbringing (by and large, and for once), and everything to do with Mathis's rhythms. He'd been here too long. They'd all been here too long.

"That's not a bad idea," he granted with a bob of his head. "Something this place would pull. Half of us are already worn down. They'll take the break happily. Just enough inflation to knock the breath out of us again."