[ Piper may or may not know her fortune, that Varian still valued her friendship enough to not immediately push her away. It wasn't something she was thinking about in the moment, though. She worried about him, first and foremost. She'd seen the amber, she'd seen his father, and she could only imagine that he must be beside himself with grief and frustration.

Her hand lifted partway, as if she was contemplating reaching out, but uncertainty held her back, and she gazed down as well for a moment, guilt ridden herself. How could she push HIM to talk about his problems when she was still hiding her own secrets?

Even so... ]

I heard... [ She begins, as if to confirm, but when she looks at him again there isn't any shame or judgement in her expression, but understanding, a mix of remorse and empathy. ] I heard a bunch of rumors from angry and confused villagers and guards, but I know better than anyone that people will tell themselves whatever they have to to justify things that they can't understand...

[ She lets out a breath, then goes on slowly. ]

And I know that if I'd been in your position, I'd do anything to help my dad... and you can't do that from inside a dungeon cell. I came to help, Varian.