Gallus did have a solid argument, but Peiter was still reluctant to accept it. "I...just don't think we need to talk about it that much. We all know what happened; we all know what's wrong with me. I'm not feeling anything that you wouldn't expect someone in my...position to feel. There are no surprises locked away in my mind. I'm just...depressed. Frustrated about what I've lost. I mean, it's not like I want to avoid talking about it entirely. If you can think of any real solutions to help me get better, or feel better, I'll be glad to talk about them, but I don't want to just talk about the problems."

Peiter looked away and weakly added another word. "Please..."

---

Meesei slowly raised up her head to look Sabine in the eyes, then gently placed a hand on top of one of Sabine's. "As I said, you need not worry about me. Nothing I was doing is dangerous, just...painful. Some of the silver remaining is buried deep within me, bound to my flesh. And...that is what it takes to remove it. It will be a very...slow process, but it is the only way I will ever be free of the silver entirely. There was nothing you or Marcaille could have done to help, so please do not feel guilty. I was able to move a few particles of the silver into my blood from where they were stuck, so I was successful. As for the pain, it is unavoidable. The procedure puts stress on my heart, and if I numbed it too strongly, it could stop beating altogether. I know it was not pleasant...and I am sorry that I allowed you to see it."