"Unusual," Irene says, rather briefly- before she realises she's cutting herself short and being obviously paranoid. There's nothing wrong with caution, but when you start letting people know you're worried, that's when you have a problem.

"Exciting, honestly," she elaborates, and adds with a sad half smile- untrue, but perfectly acted; "Very far from everything at home. Well, you know that, of course. I'm sure everyone has their good days and their bad days."

False. Aside from the discomfort of being trapped, Irene knows this: that Baedal is no utopia, but she can and will make it work for her. Other people can bemoan their fates; Irene's going to do something about hers.