Obliged to release Daniel to his coffin, to the sleep he needs, Louis is left to consider what next. How long he can linger in the entryway without making a choice. He watches Daniel go, lets him hold his attention until the sound of a door closing, the fading sounds of Daniel returning to coffin.

And then his gaze swings back to Lestat.

They are not so good with apologies, he and Lestat. Better with arguing, if their track record is anything to go off. All things feel fragile, unable to withstand the force of the cruelty they're capable of inflicting on each other. Too many new weak points, too many ways to shatter each other.

And Louis, closed in a room watching sunlight slant across the floor and thinking of promises made to their daughter. Almost made to Daniel.

"What now, Lestat?"

And then, a little thaw, rueful, as Louis observes, "The velvet is ruined."