[ Bastien head tilts again, at jealous of you, and in the next moment he lets his puzzlement bleed onto his face instead of keeping it so carefully clear as he would around anyone else—or around Alexandrie, most likely, were she not bare-faced and vulnerable.

He darts a look at Byerly. Whatever they were troubled by before he came in, he hopes it wasn't him. But he doesn't ask; Alexandrie is moving along, to something that he has a better idea what to do with. ]

Well, those are the simpler things to be concerned about, aren't they? They are not in the room with us. We don't have to wonder how to feel about them. Veil up. Gates closed. Easy. [ He brings his coffee up to drink. ] So maybe it says you have courage.