Thief of Time - Match

There were differences, Susan had to admit. Two different lives had indeed burned their unique tracks on the faces. And the selves had been born a second or so apart, and a lot of the universe can change in a second.

Think of identical twins, she told herself. But they are two different selves occupying bodies that, at least, start out identical. They don't start out as identical selves.

'He looks quite like me,' said Lobsang, and Susan blinked. She leaned closer to the unconscious form of Jeremy.

'Say that again,' she said.

'I said, he looks quite like me,' said Lobsang.

Susan glanced at Lady LeJean, who said, 'I saw it too, Susan.'

'Who saw what?' said Lobsang. 'What are you hiding from me?'

'His lips move when you speak,' said Susan. 'They try to form the same words.'

'He can pick up my thoughts?'

'It's more complicated than that, I think.' Susan picked up a limp hand and gently pinched the web of skin between thumb and forefinger.

Lobsang winced, and glanced at his own hand. A patch of white skin was reddening again.

'Not just thoughts,' said Susan. 'This close, you feel his pain. Your speech controls his lips.'

Lobsang stared down at Jeremy.

'Then what will happen,' he said slowly, 'when he comes round?'

'I'm wondering the same thing,' said Susan. 'Perhaps you shouldn't be here.'

'But this is where I have to be!'

'We at least should not stay here,' said Lady LeJean. 'I know my kind. They will have been discussing what to do. The signs will not hold them forever. And I have run out of soft centres.'

'What are you supposed to do when you are where you're supposed to be?' said Susan.

Lobsang reached down and touched Jeremy's hand with his fingertip.

***

The Thief of Time - p284-285