The restaurant was relatively busy at this hour and the deafening silence at their own table only served to amplify the clanking of silverware, the hushed voices, and the trills of laughter emanating from others. It was enough to give Phoenix a headache. With a sigh, he ran a hand over his forehead, down his face, laid it on the table in front of him, and drummed his fingers against those of his other hand. He finally spoke; his voice was quiet, but it sounded louder than everything in the room.

“For how long?”