"That was partly why I wanted to tell you, actually," Ravel replied, nodding. "If 'Rue' has someone to corroborate his story.... I think enough people know by now that you and I are friends. If you claim I'm not feeling well or... whatever, whatever reason we concoct for why I'm not showing my face one day, no one's going to bat an eyelash at it coming from you. Not that they wouldn't believe Anton, but Rue knows Anton. He's a Dead Man. Having an alibi outside the unit might be a good idea."

He fell silent for a moment at the mention of burdens, then finally nodded again, only once. "It has been nice, I can't lie. It's hard to escape your problems when most of them are in your head. Kind of a nice change of pace."

That somber expression that had stolen across his face lifted somewhat. "What, we encourage everyone to tap into their inner poncy Englishman?" he asked with a spontaneous laugh.