The man seated at his desk, and the girl ramrod-straight standing in front of it, presenting her reasoning. It makes it feel more comfortably like debate club than an actual argument, the sort of philosophical volleying back-and-forth that he usually enjoys; if Stephen squints, he can pretend it’s entirely an academic discussion, and not at all one responsible for whether or not he winds up sawing off Ennaris’ arm.

He’d been more concerned with actual biological death rather than the vanishing, but now that they’re here on the subject, he’ll keep marching stubbornly along:

“We’ve had examples of rifters leaving and coming back: Niehaus, Loki, the old Provost. Ellie and Granger both remember interim jaunts in other worlds as well, before their spirits woke up here. Accordingly, I’d say there’s evidence that the energy that makes you you does persist in the multiverse.”