Boundless Trails

[ Towa waits until after the meeting-- she's exhausted in truth but rather than her own door... she finds herself standing outside of Minato's door. For a long moment she struggles with the idea of knocking. But after several thoughts, she sighs and lowers her hand. She end up sitting outside, with her back to his door, thinking. ]

...hey. If you're there, just... listen to me for a moment, okay? You don't have to say anything. I just... wanted to say it myself.

[ It might be easier to say if she doesn't have to look at him right now. ]

What happened today wasn't your fault in any way. If you feel like there's something you should have been able to do that you didn't-- then we're all guilty of the same thing. We were all right there with them. I listened to Eliza's stories about her precious family... I knew that she had to be suffering. I knew how important they all were to her. But I didn't reach out and offer her the support I should have. And I struggled with that too. But the truth is... there probably wasn't anything anyone could have done to change her mind. I don't agree with what she did... but I understand it.

What I'm trying to say is... you're not responsible for the choices she made. None of us should feel that way. I'm sure she struggled with it in her own way and we shouldn't take that away from her.

But... I can't bear to see you trying to take all these feelings on yourself. No one could do it alone. And seeing you hurt yourself... It hurts me too. I don't know if there's really anything I can do-- but I don't intend to stop trying.

[ Goodness. She... ended up saying a lot more than she intended. Towa's not sure how well she expressed what she wanted to-- her own head is still pretty chaotic in and of itself. But... she hopes it was good enough. ]

...that's all. Sorry, I ended up rambling more than I meant to. But... thanks for listening.

[In taking inventory of all the new areas available to them and mapping it out, Towa is happy that making her way into the pantry allows her to run into Minato. The events of their arrival worried everyone, including her. And she'd been meaning to have a talk with him. At least she can say it seems like he's still making sure to eat well if he'd come here.]

Minato... how are you feeling? If you're hungry, I'd be happy to make something.