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Marlowe gives a sympathetic nod.

"I know what you mean; sometimes stuff just kind of piles up. For ages not much happens, and then suddenly everything goes wild. It's kind of hard not to end up exhausted. I'm the kind of person who has a lot of energy most of the time, but if I'm really busy or stressed then I can get burned out pretty quickly; maybe because I always feel like I need to put all of my energy into stuff, even when I probably need to save some of it. And then if I get some time to relax I still feel like I need to be doing something, so I don't actually let myself rest. I don't know if it's the same for you, but I've been kind of reminding myself lately that I actually need to relax; like, you do actually need to. Or at least, my roommate has been reminding me. Maybe you could try to remind yourself sometimes as well."

You talk for a little while longer, and around you the gathered people come and go. As you talk, you get the feeling that Marlowe just wants to have a normal conversation—but a few times, you notice their attention drifting away slightly, and even though they aren't usually an anxious person they seem a little distracted by all the other people around you. Whenever somebody comes close by, they glance at them warily as if worried they might be coming to speak to them.

Then, after another few minutes, Marlowe looks up and sees a member of the Town Council nearby—and almost at once they take in a quick breath before rapidly turning towards the kitchen doorway.

"I'm sorry—I think I need to go outside for a bit. I'll be okay, just…I need to be on my own for a sec."

They start to take a step, but then they hesitate, and looking back at you they ask:

"It's okay if you need to go or anything, but if you are still here—do you think you could meet me in the yard in a few minutes? It's through the back door in the kitchen. I just…there's just some things I don't really want to talk about in here. But only if you're still here, seriously. I just…yeah. I just need some space."

They give you a strained smile, their jaw slightly clenched, before ducking their head and hurrying through the kitchen door.

You're not quite sure what to do as you watch them go; but given what they said about needing space, it seems like the best thing would be to respect that and not disturb them. Still, at the same time, you can't help the pang you feel in your stomach as they go out of sight. For now though, all you can do is hope that they're all right.

"Excuse me—but am I right in thinking that you're Huknock?"

A voice out of nowhere pulls you from your thoughts, and you turn around to see an older woman, possibly around your grandma's age, standing behind you. What catches your eye first, however, is the bright blue and yellow silk scarf around her shoulders—and at once you realize who she must be.

"Yes—that's me," you reply. "Are you—Dolores?"

She smiles warmly, and nods.

"I am, yes. I hope you don't mind me introducing myself, but I saw you just now and I knew at once you had to be Anthea's grandchild. It's been at least ten years since I last saw her, but I recognized her in you at once. Of course, I'm sure other people have said the same thing, and I'm sure you must be sick of hearing it. You must just want to be your own person, after all. Anyway; it's very nice to meet you, Huknock. Your grandmother and I were—well, 'close' may not be the right word. But we spent quite a lot of time together, and I'd certainly consider her a friend."

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