<span style="font-style: italic">I am Absynthe,</span>Absynthe said,<span style="font-style: italic">and this is Hale.  We're looking for-</span><br/><br/>"Absynthe, I wish you'd stop telling them things that are none of their business," Hale cut in irritably.  He turned to Rai.  "And as for you, don't waste your pity on that thing.  It wanted to die and you gave it what it wanted, so just leave it at that."