Nova Peak When all the knots we've tied have come undone

Danica breathed a sigh of relief when Bazi roused, thankful she wouldn't have to deal with that much at least.  She would still call for assistance, for there was no way she could move the mother herself, but Bazi's question was unexpected enough to still her call.  After all, it had been exactly the question plaguing her with the 

There was nothing for her out there, but here there was not much either.  For a moment she had allowed herself to believe... But seeing Bazi here, pregnant with children of her own, showed her how naive that had been.  She had reached out in friendship, nothing more, and while this closure pleased her, Danica knew it was likely her own fate was sealed.  She would never have the life she had once dreamed of, and still desired.  Children, a lover, a home of her own... These were things she would need to accept secondhand, and while Nova Peak held the promise of a chance at that, she needed to decide if it was enough.  Could she live a life observing, if it was among those who she could come to see as family once more?  Perhaps.  After all, she hadn't held much hope for any of it happening previously, especially the first point.  She really was happy that Bazi was getting what she saw as a wonderful life.  A few months ago this might have differed, but they had both grown much since then.

She was not getting any younger, and she knew if she lived as a loner, her life would be shorter still.  Nor did she wish for isolation, as she did not wish to perish alone and unknown.  It would be enough just to have that fear not realized, and to no longer feel like a pariah.  Here, like in Duskfire, all of her flaws and intricacies would be known.  There was nothing Bazi did not know, and her fears of being cast out could be put to rest once and for all.

"I am," she responded at length, smiling despite herself and leaning down to lick her face gently.  "if you think the rest will have me."