...I wish it were different. What came before, and most certainly what comes now.

[ his smile is tentative, rueful; she's wrong. it doesn't reassure him to know her life has been one fraught with hardships, but it was her life, and she has already lived it. her pain, her experience, her guilt and pride, her sins and redemption, are hers and hers alone. they brought her here.

they are why she made this choice.

and though the gesture seems a bit personal for someone he has just met, and he hopes she won't take offense to it - he is lightly resting one of his hands at hers as he straightens his shoulders, some. ]

But we're here, and we're together-- which I sincerely hope you won't regret, Miss Akua. I'll be making it a personal mission of mine to see that you don't, mm? If it means I have to bring you something tastier than water to get you to drink with me next time we meet-- so be it.