As the sky darkens, promising the beginning of the fireworks show soon, Wilhelm scoops up a fresh drink and stakes out a blanket in the grass. Then...well, there isn't much to do besides sip and stew in the niche anxiety of sitting alone at a social event — a precarious balance between hoping nobody perceives you while you look like a loser, and hoping exactly the right person perceives you and, having mercy on your unbearably awkward soul, invites you to join them.

Eventually, his (not-so-) casual people-watching turns up a familiar face. Only, it takes him a long moment to place it. Because the last time he saw this face, it was twisted in pain and pale as death. The memory slides into place and Wilhelm nearly fumbles his drink in surprise.

As the young man approaches — Jesper, he remembers as if the name is seared into his brain — he realizes he needs to do something other than gape up at him.

"Hey," he begins. "Um...how is it going?"