Runa speaks, and Harrowheart's blue eyes are fixated on her. He watches and listens in unblinking, unbreathing, motionless silence. The word 'draugr' is the last thing said, but not for long. He smiles very genuinely when she's quiet again. "Everyone likes to have friends, Runa," he says. "Even horrible people. Even monsters."

He glances toward the sink again to be sure that the water is draining, but finds that it's easier to focus on that than Runa, and his neutral gaze lingers on the slow disappearance of the soap suds.

"I'm glad you think I'm not horrible," he says in an even tone. "But even if I was horrible. In secret. And Viatorus didn't know it. It wouldn't matter. Would it? Because he's my friend."

He finds it in himself to return to Runa with another sincere smile. "And you're my friend now, too, Runa. And I like having friends. And I work very hard not to be horrible to them, even by accident. And I hope it stays that way."

Rather than affix her with any more stares he looks toward the door and, very casually, says, "It's probably time for me to go back to my world, isn't it? My watch is starting soon, and I wouldn't want to be late. Will you come back to the sitting room with me for goodbyes?"