[Five years. That would be quite a significant anniversary when it came around— and while he might have expected an event like this to be hosted sooner, he's well aware that things of this scope do take some time, and five years was almost no time at all to those who had lost someone they cared for so deeply. Loss knew little in the way of boundaries.

It would have felt inappropriate to be openly pleased about the news Berna gives next, and so it's a good thing that his initial reaction is startled instead, his dark brows quirking upwards for a brief moment.]

Is she? That's— I'm glad.

[He exhales, letting out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.]

When she said she hadn't decided whether or not she would attend, I worried that she might regret it if she didn't, even without knowing the full history.

[Then, he manages another faint half-smile.]

Of course she was early.