[ The answer is, like, never. In fact, hearing 'you're right' is so jarring that that, more than the easing off of Eustace's memories through their Aspect-borne connection, is what helps ground him better in reality. ... this situation really is fucked, for him to be the one having to say something reasonable.

And while the younger Eustace is clearly still upset, that's fine. Even he's not so unreasonable so as to expect a traumatized and panicked child to calm down completely on command. ]

Well done. [ That praise comes quiet and brusque, but the fact that it's offered at all is a sign that he's trying. ] Just keep leading the way.

[ As for the question of what's happened to Eustace's family ... ]

... they might be fine. [ -- no. It's all he can think to say at first, but even knows how hollow it sounds. That much blood doesn't come from nowhere. People are -- were dead. Gen swallows thickly before trying again. ] Don't make assumptions.

[ That's not much better, and he knows it. His tail gives an anxious flick behind him before Gen asks, haltingly: ] -- who are we looking for. Is it just your parents?

[ Maybe Eustace had some other family away from whatever's happened here? Maybe there's someone else he can point this version of Eustace towards. Maybe that's the answer? There had to have been someone that Eustace could look to at this age, right? ]