[ I'll listen, the girl says and he can't place why the statement feels strange. As if she's used to being talked out not to, perhaps? His desires here weren't anything more than helping her — But something gets stuck in his throat at that moment. Turning his attention from the girl to the field and to the field once more. It feels suspiciously quiet even for a moment. ]

Okay. [ A release of breath: ] The truth is, it's not just me looking for you. If you woke up in one of those crystals a lot of people will be. Now, me, I'm not going to force you to do anything but some of them — some of them will, one way or another. Because there's someone telling them to, something inside of them —

[ He shakes his head, more to himself out of frustration. He still refuses to believe the gunk they dispelled had properly left those who accepted it. There's something there, something he can't put his finger on and he doesn't like it. ]

For some reason, that side is convinced the destruction of everything is better for everyone. As if they'd be around to see it if it's true — Maybe they're right about some things, there's some bad in this world. In any world. But there's so much more to see and people who will listen.

[ He casts her a tiny smile at that, half-hearted; He has to believe in it it, even now, even in a strange girl, shying away like an animal who'd been hurt one too many times. ]