Redhawk Caldera need you now

Maia hadn't meant to make him defend it, but hearing the explanation was almost worse. Someone more spry. But he was fine. She nodded, but didn't trust herself to say anything for a moment.

Okay. She tried to smile like nothing was wrong and mostly managed it. It wasn't the fact that he was stepping down that bothered her. She understood, but it was getting harder to ignore that he was slowing down... just like Wraen had. Just like every other time she thought that, she felt that intense flutter of panic threatening to overwhelm her. She wasn't ready to lose anyone else, and especially not him.

Now it felt a bit like she might cry. Oh, that wasn't good, she should... yeah. She should go. I'm... I understand. It's fine. She meant that and tried to be sincere as she could, holding her breath and her feelings back for now. This is so dumb. She didn't want him to think her being upset was his fault. It so very much wasnt.