Varian definitely understands, and he falls quiet as Orpheus speaks, not interrupting. He already knows the guilt that his friend carried with him for turning around, for failing Hades' test. Varian will stand by forever that it's something Orpheus shouldn't blame himself for- that it was a simple mistake that had devastating consequences. But he also knows from experience that guilt...doesn't work that way. That no matter how many times your loved ones tell you that you shouldn't beat yourself up for your past mistakes, that you're allowed to heal and allow yourself room to grow...well. It just doesn't work like that.

"I don't think it's awful, Orpheus," he says it gently. "I think you were just hurt that you were left alone, and that's- that's understandable. Even when you know she didn't have any control over it, both- both here and home...loss hurts. Learning someone you care about is just- just gone is the kind of pain that sticks with you."

He will never forget finding his dad trapped in the amber. How it felt like the world had been ripped out from under him.

"It's normal to be angry. It's- it's not really being angry at her, it's being angry at the situation. It's just that it happened to focus on the person that's missing because where else can you point it? Especially here- it's not like you can pinpoint whoever...whatever it is that sends people home and get back at them."