"They might be," he says, thoughtful. "You know, I bet they're trying to include a bunch of off-worlders too so they know we're welcome. Even if this ain't home forever it's still home for now, you know?"

And from what he's heard about Mourner's Night, it's a nice thing for everybody to experience -- no matter how long they've been on Marrow Isle -- when they're all stuck under the barrier and can't die for long.

Radar finally unearths what he's been searching for: a quarter of an apple, the core sliced away. Immediately, Danforth's nostrils flare as he tries to bend his head closer. "Okay, next step," he says to Fever as he hands her the apple and muscles Danforth's head back a few inches. "Hold that out for him, but keep it right in the middle of your palm with all your fingers flat and together. Otherwise he might think one of your fingers is a carrot and nip you."