"You weren't an asshole," Jedao insists. Except, maybe, when Jedao said please don't regret me and Drunk Party Doug said I don't care, that's not my problem.

It takes a moment of effort for Jedao not to shiver, as the thought passes, like a ghost walking over his grave, a disjointed flinch. He cradles Eiffel gingerly.

"I'm not arguing with you about what kind of person I am," Jedao says firmly, sounding calmer than he feels. "I know you've been kind of wanting to. But the fact is, in your right mind, you haven't." It could be accusatory, but it's not: Jedao's tone is all grace. Whatever Eiffel's reasons for holding back -

"I should've remembered that."