[ Ramir holds the book she'd pulled from the shelf in her lap — something on the basics of casting geological magic. All the knowledge of the multiverses, and she'd gone for rocks. She keeps her eyes on it, although it's not what she's looking at. ]

I only spent five years with ALASTAIR before they determined I'd earned enough energy, or whatever it was. Then I asked you to come back with me. [ Her finger slides along the spine of the book, idly thoughtful. ] I used to say that was the mistake.

[ She'd thought so for a long time, too. It's only the last ten minutes that have made her question that — the reminder of the Jason she'd invited back with her. She'd loved him as much as she did for a reason, after all. ]