It's a lot. There's always a lot to do, and he looks down before going to check the answer to his own question. Things look fine. Things look fine, his minder is back in place, and every time he thinks he sees a glimmer of hope it gets shut back down, so why can't he just stop hoping? She wanted to say goodbye... except she hadn't said goodbye, really, she'd just told him he'd need a replacement.

"I suppose it didn't matter further since I'd not have to find a new minder. Your duty was covered." His voice is a little bitter. "I thought the seeing me as a thing bit was just for during the rituals, that we'd at least gotten somewhere close to friends again. You called me De-de. I thought... I shouldn't have thought."