Not the first time I've come through one of those. ( She's tended to trust it more in the past, but there are too many unknown factors here. Part of her wants to figure this all out. ) I'll go out on a limb and guess there hasn't really been a dull moment since you arrived.

( She's very, very grateful not to be stuck here alone right now. )

That'd make a lot of sense! Especially if most people here fill some sort of niche. Thanks; I will.

( Beyond good; it's fantastic, she thinks, as she considers things. Whatever is going on, this isn't so bad. To belong.

Kara smiles at that, squeezing his hand. )

I never had a brother. My aunt Astra always said she couldn't love a daughter more if Rao had granted her one of her own. I felt the same about you, when you were little. Like you were my brother.

( Something that's never changed, no matter how much time has passed by or whether she'd been able to keep that promise or not. Emotion wells in her chest, and she swallows once before nodding, expression fond as she gazes up at him. )

That goes both ways. Thank you.