His touch, soft and hesitant, sets off a tremble through her. She blinks back tears and nods. It's quiet for a little, as she gathers up her words.

"I'm scared too. I don't know what to do either but here we are. Making the best of a shitty situation is what we do best, right?"

That feels fake, even if she really feels that way. Fake and off, because she's so scared, so tired. Relentlessly hoping is exhausting. Waiting in the skyway for something that shouldn't have come. Would she have spent her life out there among the islands, wasting away, staying alone, separate from these people? She's not sure.

Having someone to take care of is exhausting too, but helpful. It gives her reason to stay close, not to run, not to hide.

"Can I touch you? Just quickly."