The compiled stress of grief, fear, and anger were encouraging Badd to tell Novoc to piss off. He couldn't understand what Byrne had with him, couldn't begin to relate to it, and Badd just wanted him to get out.

"Novoc!" A blur in a pink shirt with denim jacket burst past Badd and affixed itself to Novoc's leg. Kay was taller than the last time he'd have seen her, and the dark hair in her high ponytail was longer.

"Novoc, you're here! Where's everyone else?" Because she only saw him during yearly reunions or other events, and in a subconscious way assumed that he could only exist while surrounded by the rest of the clan. Badd looked down at his daughter and gave a soft sigh, features softening for the first time since he'd opened the door.

"Suppose that confirms your ID," he said, looking back up again.