The kitten did not like the laughter, and it yowled sharply, butting against Re-l's hand. She shushed it impatiently, rubbing its ears until it stopped meowing and settled down, collapsing across her neck like a heavy fur ruff.

She took her hand away and walked towards Gabriel, stepping amongst the fragments of china. She caught his shirt and pulled him up to face her. His expression made her stomach drop. His eyes were unfocused, moving slowly and uncertainly. It was a condition she'd seen before, in the slums outside Romdeau. He was blind.

"What happened?" she said, and she didn't even try to keep her voice steady.