Carol didn't, per se, mind the solitude, the lucky luxury of a whole watching lounge all to himself. In fact, even if he didn't admit it to himself, he was relieved to be alone, to not have to force the corners of his lips into smile after smile, all poisonous. Yet, he welcomed the guest with courteous enthusiasm, all poisonous still. "Please, by all means, join the watch party. I've been feeling lonely anyway," without as much as giving them a glimpse. The scanning came after, precise and shameless as they were sitting, or not.















