[Pepper's expression, solemn except for an initial flash of a smile that's small and wry, suggests that while she hates to be the bearer of bad news, she's going to bear it all the same.]

You're both very welcome, and I'm glad you were able to get a well-deserved break.

That said... you've come home in the middle of what's currently a small crisis and has the potential to grow larger. Nem was assassinated at the Solstice ball on Thursday night.