Caranadir would not have the time or patience to argue with a mouse who insisted on hurling gasoline into a raging fire. The moment the way was clear, he lifted her clear off the ground and took a sprinting leap for the train-egg.

[s]I can’t leave her behind. I won’t let her down again. Not again.[/s]

Caranadir would not understand what had gone wrong. Because it couldn’t have gone wrong. Everything had been designed to an exactness bordering on the unreasonable. The station collapsed around them. The station couldn’t be collapsing. They were in terrible danger. Everything was according to plan. 

[s]It begged me to help. I didn’t listen. It was scared. I killed it.[/s]

Caranadir would not wrap their arms around Ailee, and pull her close until the world got quiet again.

Jackdaw would.