[ Maybe it's the couple of years she's known them. Maybe it's the year and change since the Hunger came down to their-- to her world. Maybe it's the months in Hadriel. Maybe she's reading it wrong- But she can't help but to feel hurt by his question.]

I-...

[ Should she walk away? He's not wrong, you know, that she isn't involved. Not in the long-run of their whole story. Maybe she should leave Taako to grieve, leave him to himself and maybe others that do belong in the story.





But. She's involved in this. This isn't time to be splitting hairs. Lup is her friend. Taako is her friend. They're all in this together.

She's not going to walk away just because she isn't part of the bigger story. So she picks herself back up, breathes in through her nose. Don't take the hurt from someone in pain.]

You're my friend, Taako. Lup«s my friend, too. And Magnus, Merle, Barry-- we're all together in this.

Maybe it doesn't matter, but I--I want to help. If I can.

But if you--if you really want me to go, I will. Just say the word.