[ She always does this -- finally decides to fight back and regrets it instantly. Why does she always do it with him? She knows he means well. It makes her stomach feel leaden, the way he curls in on himself. ]

Cloud, I didn't -- [ She didn't what? Want him to back off? Mean to hurt him? ] I wish we had been in the same place, but it's neither of our fault. You don't have to be sorry for something you didn't even know about. [ She's unaware how much firmer her tone is, or the way her hands clench.

That image, of him comatose in the alley, comes unbidden. Why is he apologizing to her? They were both victims here. And...

He was the only one who ever cared about what happened to her. She just...didn't want him thinking of her as this brittle little girl who couldn't do anything herself.

Like everyone else did.

She sighs rubbing her head and shaking it. ] You're right. About this place. I'm not mad at you, at all. And I'm glad you're meeting people too. We both deserve that.

[ She puts on a much better smile, aware it's a lie but -- she wants to get back to that nice place with him. ]

Let's finish up here and take a walk? I've been wanting to see the gardens. I don't think there's monsters here, but if there are, we can take them.