[She's not addressing the family question. Not just yet. Though her eyes do, briefly, drift do the end of the beach, to the summer house.

"I thought I'd find you here."

She forces her gaze back down to the beach.]

You'd probably be right. The crowds certainly don't improve the place much.

[She's been here when there were few or even no other beachgoers before, of course- Indeed, sometimes the royal family would clear an entire portion of the beach and have it all to themselves. No, this wasn't actually uncomfortable or alien. They'd been all but alone down here when-

"I'm angry at myself!"

Once again, her eyes flicker down to the beach, to the circle where they'd built the bonfire-

"You're pathetic."

Rrgh. Stop it.]

I liked it more when I was a child. Now, it's just...

["Depressing."

She'd been speaking of the house, but now the entire place just felt washed in it. This dark pall over everything, this hazy feeling that it was all so artificial, like a story she was telling herself, You always told stories, liar, lying to Zu-zu, lying to mother, lying to Shealtiel, is it any wonder that you would lie to-

...she turns to face him and her face is all casual, comfortable smiles.]

I could give you a proper tour, if you like. It only seems fair to return the favor.