[ Oh, my Bastien. Byerly's hand tightens on Bastien's a moment, tightens nearly to the point of pain for a moment before Byerly makes himself relax. But the emotion still shines through on his face - a glimmer of grief he can't suppress before it shows up. ]

A child - tries things out. Runs away and reappears. Says they'll disappear forever and then slinks back home.

Parents don't have that right. They owe you more.

[ Then, roughly: ]

I think they were bastards. I've thought they were bastards since you first told me anything about what they did.