[ Here's the thing. They may have been- struggling, confused, hurt, drowning when the band started playing, but they held on to enough of themself to see what happened to the others. Enough to see them both leave and Play for stakes they couldn't afford to lose.

They don't know what she bet. Whatever it was, it's not visible like Will's (don't think about it, not yet), and they're not really sure they want to know. It's obviously not affecting her, so maybe she got off lightly? Maybe she won, like Shinji, and earned some borrowed strength that could help her through the trials ahead.

And maybe cats aren't all secretly murderous fiends. It's a nice thought all the same. ]

Let me think.

[ An extra pair of hands is always useful, and there's a lot to do and next to no time to do it in. ]

Do you mind checking what's on that shelf, over there? I would but...

[ They hesitate, trying to ignore the lump in their throat. ]

I, ah, can't reach. And I don't see a stepladder anywhere.