Klavier visited Daryan the night after his arrest. He was as much as a victim as
LeTouse, he'd said. He'd only wanted to help the Chief Justice's son, he'd said.
Klavier knew that was a lie. He also wanted recognition, he'd said, because he
just wasn't getting enough of it, from the band or from anywhere. But he was
sorry, sorry for involving Klavier and sorry for LeTouse. He was genuinely sorry.
"You've changed, Daryan."
"No, I haven't. I swear, I'm the same guy I always was."
"Daryan, no," he said, almost as if he were trying to convince someone of the fact, and left.
When he returned home, he could not erase his friend from his mind. He felt sick
to his stomach and barely slept. He decided to go to work the next morning. He
arrived early and when Ema Skye walked past his office, she gave him a look of
disdain. Later she returned.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home...mourning, or something?"
"And why would I do that?"
"Wasn't that Crescend guy your friend?"
"He was," said Klavier, "but it's better to keep busy than to mope around, right?"