[It was also part of Cassel's plan to make them hate Barron, at least at the start. He knows this in some abstract sense, though he never explicitly planned it. It was just part of how he functioned, back then: shore up alliances, delineate his enemies. But Barron isn't his enemy anymore.]

[He listens carefully, this time without flinching. After she's been speaking for a little while, he leans forward, crossing his legs and resting his hands on his knees. He remembers seeing this from the other side. It's entirely different, hearing Daneca say it.]

[But it sure sounds familiar. Magnified by a thousand, a million.]

[He nods.]

Is it still happening? Like right now? 'Cause mine . . . the worst of it's over in a few minutes. But it lingers a while.