Though the decision to bring her shoulder bag with her to the river was absentminded at the time, Sabine was glad that she had it with her. It meant that she didn't have to sprint back to the clan home and separate from Peiter for even a few minutes. From the point at which they began to kiss in the water to the present, she had been in a bliss that she wished would never end.

She smiled and let out a relaxed sigh as Peiter took her shoulders. She paused for a moment from cutting ingredients to turn her head slightly and respond. "'Dear'? That sounds like something and old couple says." She giggled and leaned back into Peiter, "Let's pick something else...'Love'?"

[hr]
While Tzirret listened to the first part of La'khay's efforts to comfort and explain, he did not give any further reaction except to keep his eyes closed and continue crying softly. He had hoped that she would just give up and leave him be. To say the least, it came as a surprise to be taken by the shoulders and forced to face her.

Tzirret sat agape and overwhelmed at La'khay's speech. He had been shocked out of crying, but he didn't immediately know how to respond. She certainly had not left him many excuses.

Tzirret blinked, looked down at the pendant he had carved especially for La'khay, and sniffed. "All of this, it is made to sound easy," Tzirret said sullenly, "This one knows that he cannot be with La'khay, but whenever he tries to think of that fact, he cannot bear it." His eyes went from the pendant, back to La'khay, "What courage does Tzirret have for that? What must he do?"

In spite of Tzirret's tone seemingly holding little hope, the fact that he didn't deny his previous accomplishments was an unsaid sign of agreement, if a belligerent one.