[The spice is an undeniable factor in how Paul is able to accept before the murders and all the implications that follow without being sidetracked into distress, but there's more to it than that. He's getting better at managing his internal responses to things like this, knowing when a strong response is called for, and when he should just lean into the tousling of his hair in silent camaraderie.

She knows he understands about befores. They're both full of them.]

It seemed like she was taking a long time to get ready.

[Said by the boy who put on and took off his eyeliner three times, and don't ask him about how long it took to choose between nearly identical black pants.]

If anywhere would be haunted [crumbling halls, a papered over room] I'd think it would be there. I've never seen a place so... [he pulls a mild face] Like that.

[The way that she and Palamedes spoke about the Lyctor, she might as well have been an ancient revenant. But again, he's learning - how to touch a thing, and then look away from it.]

Did you have a chance to try the cake yet?