"Something like that," Falcon murmurs, watching a petal drift by the two of them. "That's what they are, most of the time."

Words to placate another party so they'll continue to cooperate. Meaningless words that people expect, to soothe your own guilty consciousness, but ultimately don't change anything.

In the back of his mind, Hereward crosses his arms, expectant. And yet...?

"I was caught up in my own head," he says slowly, clipped, "and I lashed out at you. I... wanted to apologize as well. For whatever it's worth."