Anise nodded. She was determined not to repeat her past mistakes, and to do everything she could to help Ion. But until she got out of the institute, there wasn't much she could do. It sounded like Ilia really believed in her motivation, though, which was a little reassuring. Anise wasn't going to let her - or anyone else - down.

But then it was Ilia's turn to confess, and Anise looked up at the woman, listening quietly. Some of what she heard was surprising. Saving a planet from a biological weapon? It sounded like there was an interesting story there, but that wasn't what she needed to be focusing on right now. It sounded like Ilia was carrying her share of guilt, too.

When there was a long enough pause that she could be sure she wasn't interrupting, the girl spoke up offered her thoughts.

"... I don't think you did anything wrong. I don't think it's bad to help yourself while you help other people, or to want to support someone you care about." She didn't know if Ilia would see it that way, but at least she'd make it clear that Anise didn't hold anything against her, even knowing that it might have applied to their own friendship. "I mean, in the end, you still helped me out even though you didn't have to."