she enveloped kumiko 's fingertips in the lightest of kisses and ate the bite of pudding ... ... and felt suddenly swept away , suddenly on air , of air , the wind rushing past her , the earth far below , ancient yet young , covered in bursts of cold steam , the sweetness on her tongue light as a wish , as an eyelash , as the wash of spray from a nearby wave ... ... and kumiko was flying by her side , was offering something ... ( or wanting to be offered ... ) 'amanda ? '