combative
He cuts a path for himself through the crowd by alarming people, shoving his face into their faces and talking loudly to himself, as if they aren't real outside of his mind.
foothold
So much of conversation is aimed at establishing and defending one's status, saying what we think is important to other people and what will help us play the role we've assumed in our social circle. In the meantime, other thoughts fight to get out and are smothered in self-censorship.
gypsy
The dark river wears glitter on its face.
insufficient
So much of what happens between these bookshelves is an exercise in getting by with a bare minimum of effort and time.
intelligence
Although I don't know it at the time, he's testing me. His reserved and polite demeanor masks his watchfulness; he notes my mannerisms, gets a rough idea of my temperament. I don't think he's doing this consciously. But he'll use his discoveries to his own advantage next time we meet.
protean
Fireworks in the shape of dumbbells, weeping willows, and badminton birdies.
repairing
He talks about how we need to put the broken pieces of ourselves back together.
