"Well--sorta." 

"We used to play together when we were the same size. Then he got bigger and he and the other bigger boys would play a game where they threw rocks at me. It was pretty funny." Sigh. "Then he went away to do grown-up things." 

"Throwing rocks?" 

"It's not as bad as it sounds! She has healin' powers!" 

"I--guess that's better than not, but--"

He shrugs uncomfortably and looks away. 

...Well, he seems to be aware that this is something to be ashamed of and not something that was in fact okay, even if he has too much pride to say so. And...Ember doesn't seem mad, so... 

"Well, I'm glad you stopped," she settles on. 

"I'm glad nobody got hurt. I was so sure someone would die today."

"I think a lot of people have died today. But not these ones. Every life saved is a good thing, even if we can't save very many." 

(Dramatic eyeroll.)

"It's strange, that we're still alive when so many people are dead." 

"Well...the demons haven't killed everyone. So, as long as that's the case, whoever it is that's alive is going to be there to wonder why it's them and not somebody else who died, and the dead people are all off to Pharasma's court to think the opposite."

("Oh no, they're philosophizin'.")

"I guess you're right. I think most of my friends are dead, though." 

"...I'm so sorry." 

Shrug. "It's sad when anyone dies." 

"Yeah. ...Woljif said you can heal?" 

"Oh, come on! Isn't that what the Count's for? Why'd we even bring him along, then?" 

"My cutting wit and sparkling personality?" 

"She is a child," Lusilla hisses to the two of them, quietly, "and nothing we get up to is going to be more dangerous than being on her own out here. If you try to veto bringing her along, if she'll come, I will turn into my other shape and sit on you until you change your tune."

"What would sitting even consist of, with that body plan?"

"I am prepared to get creative." She makes a "watching you" gesture with two fingers. 

"I just know a few tricks that Soot taught me, that's all." 

"Oh, is he a person? Sorry, didn't mean to ignore you," she adds to the crow. 

The bird caws. 

"Soot's clever! And she can talk, but only to me."