"Bella's all introverted and doesn't understand how group projects work," Andi says, "also generally despairs of other people being useful at important things."

"That's an exaggeration."

"From what I've seen, not much of one."

"Despair is too strong a word," insists Bella.

"Is it?"

"Yes, for it to have been despair I'd have to currently be experiencing revelatory astonishment, not pleasant surprise." She shrugs. "The fact remains that I am a very self-centered person, and I expect things of myself that I wouldn't dream of demanding from anyone else, so I hope you'll all forgive the occasional slip of phrasing when I start talking about plans."

"Sure," says Ethan. "What matters to me isn't the language, it's the facts. I want to start hearing more about all these no doubt fascinating plans and ideas you keep scribbling down."

"That too," says Robin.

"A lot of what I'm writing isn't even plans. There are plans in there, but I'm doing a lot of - psychological groundwork. I'm going to have to be on, I can't live with myself if I slack off more than I have to for long-term maintenance purposes. Not with these stakes and these tools. I'm trying to figure out how not to burn out."

"...Good question," says Robin.

Ethan just shrugs.

"I don't think I can apply anything I'm coming up with to other people," Bella says apologetically.

"Oh well. I'll manage."

"If you need help then of course you should ask."

She looks up at Ethan again. "Oh, I will."

"You're gonna try not to burn me out, too, right, Bella?"

"Yes. And I know I need a wider margin of safety on you than I do on me."

"Let's try not to burn anyone out," says Robin.

"I'm not sure burning out Trouble is even possible," muses Ethan, "but I'm also sure I don't want to find out at close range."

"Agreed on both counts."

He pets the still-apparently-sleeping Trouble.

"Is he still asleep? Do I even want to know what you did to him after I left?"

"He looks it, doesn't he? And you're welcome to ask."

"I think I will refrain."

He laughs.