[His take-away from her admonishment impresses her: Rather than acknowledge that he took on too much, he simply resolves to grow strong enough to fulfill his self-chosen duty here in the afterlife. Seeing that for her, that option is out of reach - after all, her people aren't here with her - fills her with envy for a moment, but at his kind words, she lowers her eyes, humbled.]
Thank you. But...
["I'm not a good person", she wants to correct, but wouldn't that be a slap in the faces of Sunny and Mari and everyone else who learned of her horrible secret and still kept seeing the good in her, focusing on her intent rather than the outcome that had already been set in stone a century ago? She sadly shakes her head.]
My ambition is forever out of reach now. So instead, let me support yours. I'll help you look out for Mari and Sunny, if you allow. You're right - they're still here for you to protect. All is not lost.
[Not yet, in any case. It is as Kel said: Who knows how long their memories will remain? But perhaps they'd still support and protect each other if they all became strangers. After all, that was the situation for most of them here from the outset.]
no subject
Thank you. But...
["I'm not a good person", she wants to correct, but wouldn't that be a slap in the faces of Sunny and Mari and everyone else who learned of her horrible secret and still kept seeing the good in her, focusing on her intent rather than the outcome that had already been set in stone a century ago? She sadly shakes her head.]
My ambition is forever out of reach now. So instead, let me support yours. I'll help you look out for Mari and Sunny, if you allow. You're right - they're still here for you to protect. All is not lost.
[Not yet, in any case. It is as Kel said: Who knows how long their memories will remain? But perhaps they'd still support and protect each other if they all became strangers. After all, that was the situation for most of them here from the outset.]