A black hole. A black hole? Xander, being closer to a Scientist (a technomagician, if one wants to be proper; a mad scientist, to some), has more of a grasp on just what kind of event that was. No pun intended.

There, but for the grace of whatever gods exist, goes Drake, his foster father back on Artepus. And the fact that it happened to Siebren? That breaks Xander's heart, but not his resolve. Never that, at least.

"Adjusted," he says, sort of laughing wryly at that. "That's a word..."

Xander's not a telepath. He can touch Siebren and feel his father's emotions--and the strange, distorted distance that his dissociation brings. The yearning, the ache that accompanies the melody that only Siebren can hear. It makes a startled sob catch in his throat. He doesn't particularly lose track of time like Siebren is forced to (or cannot possibly help), but that and the thoughts of what he must have endured afterward sends tears coursing down the empath's cheeks, and while Seto, always more reserved, covers one of Siebren's hands with his own, Xander can't help but hug the older man.

"Yeah, Seto's right," he says, drawing back and sniffling, rubbing an arm across his face. "We're not just here for the happy shit, we're here for the entire ride." A bit crass, maybe, but it's heartfelt.