[at first he thought Anthony was making some sort of strange pun. But then he realized what it was. Of course Anthony would the most darkly dramatic ...what...persona? possible. A demon sent plummeting from heaven. Couldn't have had something normal, no. He had to be the center of attention whatever it was. Alec knew he couldn't help it-- consciously anyway-- but he was just bemused at his cousin's list toward the dramatic side of things.

He contemplated what to say to that, pouring himself some wine boldly because he knew it would irritate Anthony. But also he needed it. Needed more than that]

Look, whatever it is, whatever you call it, trick, reincarnation, some other-- universe overlapping with ours-- it's not you, okay? It's happening to you, but it's not you. Not you, not right now, not raised as you were, not what you think and feel, not who you are.

[he didn't expect it to help really. Maybe it would at the start but soon something else would come up]

And I'm sorry...

[that he couldn't do more.]