"Don't do that," Laurie says crisply, shaking her head a little as they part. She swallows, throat tight. He doesn't... He doesn't need to evoke any more pity from her. The thing's done already. He doesn't need to keep digging at her.

She grabs up her abandoned glass and passes it back to David, almost businesslike as she recomposes herself, "Tell Balthier that it was nice to meet him, and that I'm sorry to duck out. Just tell him I'm not feeling well. Whatever works.

"I'll see you later, okay?"