[That does it; Nita moves - slowly, telegraphing her intent so as not to make Aly jump, that would be the worst at this point.

For both of them.]

Even then. Even then, Aly, no matter how hard it is to believe. We lose people.

[She thinks of Pralaya, that two-ended betrayal that had lost her an advisor, someone who had helped her when she needed it most.]

We hurt them, or they die because of something we did. There's no rewind button we can press, and we may not even get forgiveness, or to forgive.

But that's not the end of the story, the period at the end of the sentence.

[She puts a hand - slowly, ever so slowly - down onto Aly's arm.]

It's just not.