the surprising thing wasn't that the experiment worked, or didn't work, it was the way my chest loosened when i realized i could just... try something else, like the pressure valve finally gave way, and i almost didn't notice it, that little whisper of permission to not be stuck is the whole thing, isn't it? and the ache behind my eyes when i finally admit i was wrong about something isn't pain, it's the universe recalibrating, like the pins dropping back into place after a machine jammed... i should really tell Ren about this, she'd love that i finally let myself be a little wrong sometimes, but i also kinda don't want to overthink it, you know?