[Cassel thinks he understands. This is Prefect's burden. This is why he was here. He wonders idly what horrible things Prefect has done in his life. Whether he misses them, now. His gaze shifts from neutral to barest interest.]

And now . . . your family is my brother. Right?

[It is, though. He remembers parts of what happened during that flood, what he accused Prefect of, and he knows that at least in some way it's true. The best lies are built on a foundation of truth. Whether it's trickery or not, Prefect is attached.]

[What an ugly thing to think, that Barron has built his own family here, just as Cassel has. It's overwhelming for a moment, and his throat closes in panic before he manages to push fear down.]

If you never had a family, that means you don't know what I was looking for, either. What I wanted from him.

Are you lonely? You look lonely. [And tired. And sad. And broken.]