Urania could have said something about how all humans were short lived in the grand scale of things, and it would have been true. But it also would have been a lie in these circumstances. Estella Herschel would lead a short but productive life. "Yes," she said simply but with certainty. "I know that to be the case."
A man approached the two of them and told Urania that it was time to begin and she gave Rosario a brief smile, a small turning up at the corners of her lips and nothing more. "I hope you enjoy the talk. Stay around until after and I'll see you again."
She put down her half finished glass and made her way up onto stage to introduce the leaders of the project and get them started on their slides and facts. She sat to the side of the stage watching and listening, even though she already knew what the project was all about. She had, after all, been watching it from the sidelines since it began.
At the end, the press were called on to ask questions and the project leaders answered them as best they could. At once point one of them couldn't manage to simplify a concept well enough to be understood, and Urania stepped in to do it for him. Other than that, Urania didn't involve herself in the work. It was not her place to do so.
Two hours later, and everything had been shared and (Urania hoped) fascinating articles were about to be written. Another wine found Urania's hand, and she scanned the small crowd for Rosario, finally spotting her by one of the side tables.