<em>Cutting through most of the others, he can hear a handful rather distinctly.<br/><br/>One, soft like velvet, is a man's voice, arrogant and self-assured.<br/><br/>"If only our Dearest Brother were here now... perhaps we could have prevented this."<br/><br/>The voice that responds is light and feathery, calm, unruffled, and utterly serene.<br/><br/>"But He is not. Shall we play by the usual rules, then, Other, More Distant Brother?"</em>