c'est la vie

Luckily you catch Ainsley a couple of drinks in at the Christmas party. She scoffs and says, smiling, "I, uh... I don't think that would be wise of me to tell. I've not had enough of these to share that kind of secret."

"She's kin. She's like a sister to me, but kind of more than that? It's complicated and difficult to explain. If you've ever felt completely whole and balanced with someone, it's a little like that..." "Wait, why? Has something happened to her?"

"Okay, look; admittedly a few things have fallen to the wayside a little bit, since everything has been so hectic around here, but it's mostly good news. I promise! We're staying in the Peak District now -- not too far from the Hawkins territory, and just a small little place, but it's enough for what we need. We also have some family visiting from France for the holidays for the first time, which is quietly exciting."

"Delphine and I always go on an early morning walk after exchanging gifts; early enough for Allomere to fly nearby without raising too much suspicion. A Christmas sunrise is something special."

"I would highly suggest you do not speak on matters of which you know so little about, mon cœur. It would be such a waste of the breath you so clearly need to properly process thought."

Losing family, losing friends... not being able to help should the worst happen.

If you'd have asked me a couple of years ago, I likely would have said yes. But now? No. Not for the world.

"I--... I'm not sure why. I'll be honest in saying I have my suspicions, but they dance that line of refusal of belief should I be correct. But we're managing either way."

Well, I've not been on one that wasn't sort of fake so... nothing?