( as a parent, the choices one has to do are, more often than not, painful; one's own selfishness is replaced by selflessness, especially where a child is concerned.

and everyone deserves a chance. if cid can build something new here, for himself, for others, then—

her thoughts are cut off by his inquiry about her arm. she lifts it, just slightly, and looks it over, where the marked rune sits. it doesn't hurt anymore so much as ache, and she's fully aware that a time will come when she will make use of it, across the rift. )

A gift from Soris to her favorite human. ( she says with a bit of humor. ) She wasn't as upset as I thought she'd be when I told her I wanted to break our pact.

( a benevolence, all things considered. )

It'll fade, after the rifts. Her instructions were unclear, but... I know it was her way of saying goodbye.