Um.

[ Orpheus has to think about that, which is already kind of a bad sign. The good news is considering it distracts him from that concerned look on Salieri's face, at least. ]

The last time I saw her was when I turned seven? But she'd been gone for a while before that, working with someone who was writing a really important novel. When she showed up it was a really big surprise.

[ And he tries to say it like it was a good thing, like it was some great birthday gift, having her back even for that short time, because shouldn't it be? Seeing his mom again after all that time? But his expression falls even further despite his best efforts, and he looks away. ]

I wasn't... very grateful, at the time. I don't even remember what she said to me. I just remember crying when she had to go again.

[ And this is... a lot, to drop on someone he's known all of three weeks, but Orpheus is very much not a private person, and sometimes things just come out of his mouth before he can really think about them. He does seem to realize this, though, and forces himself to lighten up. ]

It's okay, though. I've had Mister Hermes to look after me, ever since.