[A small smile begins to form as he looks up at her. It feels ... as though the weight of the worlds have been lifted from her shoulders, hearing him say that. A tiny part of her had been afraid -- afraid that he would be furious, that he would resent her for the decision she had been forced to make. But this is Ven ... Ven's no powder keg of resentment.

If she could be so fortunate with her other friend, then ... things just might be okay.]

Thank you ... Ven ... but ...

[She bumps the bottom of his chin lightly with her finger. Chin up, kiddo.]

I never was able to come back for you. When I left the port last month ... I was right back where I had been. Searching for Terra.

[Here, she pauses, straining to find the right words to explain what happened after that.]

I found him. He ... he wasn't alright. Did he tell you what happened to him, Ven?