[ On arrival, Gale backread the whole of the network, the entirety of Koby's guide, and any supplementary notes made available to him. He's aware of most of the miserable business to date, particularly after pestering Louis about day zero. ]

Yes, [ blanching, ] twice.

[ quickly, he clarifies: ] I'd think you wouldn't be so unlucky on your first few days returned to us. [ a polite lie, given the first party was a bloodbath, of a kind. squinting at him, then, just in case he looks like he's about to retch — ] A night remembered is a night savoured, I suppose?

[ remembered via... a terrible hangover? ]