100

Eliot's living room is quieter than it was on his birthday, but if anything there seem to be even more people here. You recognize quite a few of them, of couse, but there are just as many you don't know; and for somebody who used to be the Town Council Leader, it maks sense that he would have gotten to know a lot of people during his life.

One person in attendance whom you do recognize, of course, is Dina—who, along with the rest of the current Town Council, is helping to welcome everybody who arrives. When you enter the room, she looks toward you at once, and then as the previous person she was speaking to moves along she comes to greet you with a heavy expression.

"Hello—thank you for coming," she says, shaking your hand and giving you a small smile. "Please feel free to stay for as long as you like. There's food and drinks in the kitchen, and we're also collecting donations for one of Eliot's favorite charities. There's no pressure to give anything, but if you do, it's much appreciated."

She nods, and then she turns to the next person, leaving you to step towards the middle of the room and look around for any sign of somebody wearing a colorful shawl.

But as you glance over toward a group of people gathered by the fireplace, you instead find yourself locking eyes with Marlowe.

At once their eyes widen slightly, as if they're a little surprised to see you here. But after a short pause, Marlowe says something quickly to the people they were talking to, and then they come over to where you're standing. Even though they give you a smile, there's a heaviness in their eyes that you remember seeing the last time you were both in this house together.

"Hey—long time no see," they say softly, letting out a small breath. "I didn't realize you'd be coming. I'm sorry I didn't mention the memorial to you, but…to be honest, I was just trying not to think about it too much."