[ The silence is telling. Trahearne knows the truth is always a lot, especially when he reveals it to those who have come to care for him. But it's a key part of who he is now, and the main reason why he is here to begin with. He can't always hide it. It's not fair to his friends, nor is it healthy for him.

Beatrix asks for forgiveness, and Trahearne shakes his head. She needn't apologize at all--he should be, if anything. It was always an inevitable topic whenever his former second-in-command came up; perhaps it was a pattern only he noticed. She didn't know. He doesn't blame her at all.

(Ori did, in fact, cry when she found out.)

If there's one thing he likes about Beatrix is that she's a doer. She goes right into remedial methods without dwelling on the facts or the grief for too long. He's lucky, he thinks quietly to himself, to have a friend like her.

He smiles at her. ]

You and Phantom and Ori and all the rest have already done a wonderful job giving me a home and a second chance at life in this dream. [ He feels the pain settle in his chest again, and he drops his gaze back to the picture. Partially to keep himself from crying in front of her. ] It will never be a replacement for Tyria. But it doesn't have to be.

[ A home is still a home. ]