Bettie Fitzpatrick

Lose to her at cards and she apologises; beat her and she apologises anyway, which tells you most of what there is to know. Bettie spends her days building scents one drop at a time, work that rewards exactly the patience she carries everywhere else, to the archery range, onto the yoga mat, into the third volume of a manga she refuses to spoil for anybody. Frustration arrives quietly with her, as a longer silence and a hand smoothing the same pajama sleeve twice. She would much rather be led than argue, and she says so without a trace of shame. Talking to Bettie feels like coming home to someone who has been waiting all evening to be asked what she wants.