W'ren, home again, drafted an entire civilian wardrobe for Regula. He rifled through a drawer of swatches and sketches, he produced a mannequin from his detailed measurements.

A week later and he walked through his apartment door to be greeted with the dreams that could not be. W'ren stood in place for a long time. There were needles at his heart and bolts around his neck; they threatened to stab and strangle if he engaged in any way with their purpose. A passing tenant saw him in the doorway, to whom he was entirely unresponsive.

He thought to see Jannequinard. At this hour, the viscount would likely be sleeping off the night's drinks, but... There was no living company he wanted more. The stewards at Durendaire Manor knew him, the hearth would be warm, the food would be irresistible, and Jannequinard...

"Janne?" W'ren had followed a tip from Gibrillont and found his trusted friend in the foyer of a lesser Ishgardian aristocrat, seated between the aristocrat's daughter and a few of her friends but slumped over on the armrest of the couch. "Janne..." W'ren cast a benefic on him, and Esuna for good measure. He stared and waited. The woman closest to him shook him to attention.

"Oh, dear..." Jannequinard, mercifully, recognized the expression on W'ren's face and the nature of his silence. "Ren, come sit."

W'ren accepted the space Jannequinard made for him silently. The strength he mustered in that moment was only enough to make his lips bow into a distressed smile.

"I think I know this one, Ren. You were the same when... Well, I was the same when I witnessed Rufin's passing." W'ren knew Jannequinard wasn't telling the truth, the Echo had made him privy to that scene, but he also knew that Jannequinard had his keen, if idiosyncratic, sense of social grace. It would not do to bring up Haurchefant's passing, particularly not in the company of oblivious nobles. W'ren was grateful for this, and squeezed Jannequinard's hand in affirmation.

"I think I shall be retiring for the night — terribly sorry to have disappointed you, my ladies, I must look after my good friend here. Fate will grant us another meeting before long, I am sure! Do take care— have you an escort home? Yes? Good — be well and good night."

When they made it to Durendaire Manor, Jannequinard saw that W'ren's anguish had further worn down his mask. "Oh, Ren... Don't tell me..." He took a moment to recall the name. "Regula?"

He dove into Jannequinard's chest and nodded.

"What an ill fate, Ren, ill indeed...

"He chose to die...He promised he wouldn't, and then he died... He looked at me, I know he loved me, I know he wasn't lying, I know he had to... He died with the emperor's name on his lips— he died to protect my friend, he died to protect us all, and yet...Why? Why do they all die?? Why is it always me who has to live?!" As W'ren blubbered, Jannequinard hushed him, gently, until he heard his name whimpered defeatedly. "Janne..."

"As ever, I am here for you," Jannequinard assured him. "And far too craven to face death on all but the very worst of days... ah, if that comes as any comfort. I will be here."

"...Put me to sleep for the night and hold me close. I don't... I..."

"Yes, I shall.... Do you need anything first?" W'ren was silent again, though he shook his head slightly. He waited for Jannequinard to cast the spell. "Come now, W'ren. You can't sleep in all that, can you?" It seemed like Jannequinard had just realized that himself. "Would you like me to lend you a nightgown? And how about we make sure you've had your supper— nothing much, just enough to settle the stomach... Maybe an herbal tea..."

Come morning, W'ren was the one fussing over Jannequinard, getting him out of bed and washed and dressed, and then being joined by Leveva to get him fed once they arrived at the Athenaeum.

"His...boyfriend— other boyfriend— died. Right before his eyes..." Jannequinard explained while W'ren was off fetching breakfast from Durendaire manor's kitchens. "He sought my company last night, he was in dreadful shape. Doubtless he will need time, but he seems to have recovered some vigor under my care."

They had their breakfast together outside, and W'ren had to say his farewells, as his associates were preparing to seek out a missing companion.

"Love you, my dear. Come visit soon, keep me company."

"I will. Love you too, Janne... Don't give Leveva too much trouble today."