[ A debonair smile, no. But there is something closed off in the more serious look Bastien levels at him. That’s a choice — to let him see it. To not lie. He could look broken if he wanted to. He could sound less like he’s obediently reading his line to try to move the scene along: ]

It was terrible.

[ Uncomfortable, now that he’s said it. He looks at Rat Red instead of at Byerly. She’s only now beginning to look less like a puppy, but her tiny face and outsized ears also mean she’ll always look like a puppy. She’s thrilled to be allowed to gnaw on his fingers without reprimand. She’s not going to make him talk about it. ]

But it was only a week, and no one was dead. Worse has happened. Worse will happen again. Do you want some coffee?