Redsand Canyon 'cause we were misfits

"Oh.." I'm managing, Ruenna almost answered dismissively, but at the last moment she decided on a more truthful reply. "It's been tough. Each week is more difficult than the last." Perhaps Aquene had noticed that Ruenna had been less and less present around the canyon as her pregnancy had progressed. 

Aquene spoke to confirm Ruenna's concerns: she had felt coerced into her decision, although it seemed to have been the right one nevertheless. Ruenna swallowed heavily, guilt now sinking into the pit of her stomach as she realized that Germanicus had borne the brunt of Aquene's ire for a decision that he and Rue had made together. 

Aquene was happy. Rue sighed with relief. "I'm very glad for that. You deserve it," Ruenna spoke sincerely. 

Because Aquene had offered her ear, Ruenna was inclined to take her up on a conversation. 

"I'm not happy to hear what you've gone through in the past weeks. I can see both sides, and I feel very torn. Germanicus and I are trying to make the best decisions we can, but the truth is, Mereo is an experiment. We don't yet have the recipe for success, and so we have to try to invent it as we go along. I'm sorry that you have suffered because of this." Rue's bearing was heavy with the weight of her responsibility. She and Germnaicus would think carefully on how this had all played out when making decision for Mereo's future, Aquene could be certain of that.