Vega wonders if Benedict thinks she can't see these furtive looks happening; she decides she will be graceful and ignore all of it. Let them pretend this was planned to the letter and that everybody is happy to be here. She joins him on the settee, smoothing her dress with her hands. She actually feels too warm in it. It pinches her under the arms.

This is bringing back some ridiculous memories: the both of them younger but still sitting together, like this. Vega bites the inside of her cheek and reminds herself: you don't need to perform, here. Nobody is watching you.

"Should I ask you something only you would know, just to make sure it really is you this time?"