[ Bastien's laugh is muted, silent, just a stutter in his exhale. ]

Every year we can honor his memory by inviting one person to a very uncomfortable lunch.

[ This isn't fair to Benedict, of course, who was much more than the occasional social slip. And whose body hasn't even been found. But the thought he might still be alive, somehow, is so improbable— ]

I'm so sorry, Byerly. We could ask Alexandrie to... She could paint him from memory, I'm sure, and get that smirk of his just right.