- Octavian hasn't eaten for three days.
- We know this because "they" say so.
- Octavian replies that he's "Observing," just like they taught him to.
- So they ask him what he's observed.
- Octavian states that solidity of his shackles increase the solidity of his body, which is not something he notices when he's walking freely.
- "They" agree with him and point out that shackles are all about resistance—and Octavian tells them not to talk to him about resistance.