At least Anise seemed a bit less somber now. Ilia knew it was no simple matter to apologize for traitorous deeds, but she didn't doubt Anise was telling the truth here. There was something sincere about that nod, something that didn't need words to help convey.

It wasn't so surprising, hearing Anise dismiss Ilia's problems. Comparatively, Ilia's were less complicated. Maybe less painful, too, but still, she felt horrible for it.

"I suppose that might be true," she said, sighing a bit. "But I really wonder, would I have taken that leap to help them if he hadn't suggested it? Or would I really have helped you out if I wasn't just fascinated by your fonic artes or needed a traveling partner for the night?" She would like to think she cared more than that, but she was never sure. And it would be even harder to believe now that the shadow had bared it to Anise.

"And even helping with Tear, posting that bulletin today, I might just have been wanting to make up for my failure last night." She smiled again, but it definitely wasn't a happy smile. Just bitter. "I'm not someone who fails. It's not something I can ever accept. Like a kid that never admits they've lost." Captain had told her a few times before that she needed to act her age. He was right, more often she she'd allowed him to think.