The Sentinels But you know I'm gonna play 'em for keeps

Maia stayed quiet, listening as Wraen listed out her thoughts.  She took it in, but as she did, her mind was racing.  She made it sound so simple, but it wasn't.

I couldn't tell him, she thought.  She hadn't even hinted it.  So of course he thought she'd just abandoned him.  He was her friend, though, and she cared too much about him and Weejay to try and assume she deserved more than that, especially after Wildfire.  She was terrified.

But Wraen was right, she did need to suck it up.  It was no one's fault but hers that she was too much of a coward to make a move, and what was done was done.  It hurt, but she couldn't change it now.  She wasn't going to go back and try again, not after the reaction leaving had caused.  All she'd do was make things worse.

He wasn't like that when we traveled before, she answered, feeling the need to defend Eljay against her sister, just for a moment.  When we were looking for Elfie.  But about that, you're right, I guess.  I can't really expect anything if I don't ask.  Maia took a shaky breath, then shrugged sheepishly.  I just... don't think it's meant to be.  It'll be fine.

Sorry, I didn't mean to get all... ugh.  It's really cool, being here, after hearing so much about it.  She couldn't help but want to change the subject, and her motives were probably obvious.