[ something shifts into place — a rightness that was missing before, perhaps, something knocked out of balance from the violence of laurent's actions, from the unpredictability of the festival's poison. discomfort eases though it doesn't disappear entirely. laurent has not been at ease for years now, holding tension like a stringed instrument, but, just for this moment, he breathes. ]

Yes. [ no biting response, just honesty. of course he is going alone, because what allies does he have here? ] I don't particularly enjoy hunting, but it's not a daunting task. It's just a more dangerous boar.

[ after a beat, just for clarification — ] You're not invited. You're too small.