MARBLE’s eyes narrowed with pleasure at seeing the young American. Nate was average height and thin-framed, with straight black hair over a straight nose and brown eyes that kept moving, glancing over the older man’s shoulder as he approached, watchful rather than jittery.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: This quote describing a meeting between MARBLE and Nate describes the close relationship between the two. Additionally, it alludes to MARBLE’s appreciation of Nate’s watchful nature and maturity as an agent.

Her synesthesia appears to extend to human reactions. Not only words or sounds, she also sees emotional content as colors. She spoke to me about what sounds like halos of color around people’s heads and shoulders.’ Vassily stared at his friend. ‘Perhaps she will develop into something of a savant in matters of human intentions.
-- Faculty of Psychology professor (Chapter 3)

Importance: When Nina and Vassily learned their daughter saw music and words as colors, they took her...