[Shhhh, the City knows what goes down in brackets!]

Regardless, I would feel badly if Doctor Brown's dog was to die because I left. [But he's thinking of the ominous bit of meteor, too, even if he doesn't mention it out loud. If something had happened to it after he was pulled from the City--something that unleashed its supposed destructive potential--

And Hei's easy acceptance of that brief description is a relief. Maybe not asking for details indicates a lack of social grace on Hei's part, but Pavel is grateful for it.]

Unsuccessful pirates would be simpler to cope with, I would think. Were you cursed?