[If he has asked her, she would have been happy to explain to him that "returned" was when they were brought back to their real worlds and not the facsimile of a world that the Landlord had created for them.

The smile he gives her is comforting, at least. And it's familiar enough to her that she smiles quietly back.]

I would like that, too. And it need not be the same. The fact that you are willing to try is enough.

And I have not yet introduced myself: I am Veronica. Thank you for helping me earlier.