... yeah. [That's how it always is, but that's kind of a given.] I definitely don't feel any regret about that either. [Just like he doesn't care about his sister. Just like he wouldn't care about Nyssa.]

But now that she's gone, you can work on starting something new from here. Not to forget the awful things that happened, but to accept that they did for the reasons they did, and work on creating a new path where things like that don't have to happen again.

[A very quiet sigh. Not because he thinks Rook is wrong but because it's hard to, emotionally, get there. Optimistic talks about the future can't erase the burden of past mistakes, of present guilt.]

I know.

It's hard ... and impossible to completely get over, in some ways. I know. And even then, sometimes it takes a long time to feel any better inside at all.

But ... even wanting to try, sometime, is enough of a start. Nobody's rushing you now. We're just here to support you any way we can.

[Even in small ways. His hand around his shoulders slides to grip one, giving it a little massage-like squeeze, feeling the tenseness there.]

So you keep saying.

[He keeps his head ducked, gaze lowered.]

....I understand. I do.

It's good to keep at the front of your thoughts. [Something to hold onto. An anchor in raging waters.]

Here, try to relax your shoulders just a little bit.

........

[He tries.

Probably not very well. But it's easier to focus on, easier than words which sound nice yet still sting almost too much to bear, so he tries.]

[He says nothing all throughout, coiled tension soothed away almost in spite of himself.]

....Anyway, that was all I had to tell you. Now you know.

[He's relieved himself, feeling Jaguar relax a little bit that way.]

I'm glad I could be here for you. That you came to tell me. ... Are you feeling any better now...?

[Later, yes. For now....]

A little.