A glimmer of her more characteristic hard edge notches into place, which is beneficial from multiple perspectives. Most predominantly, it is beneficial from the perspective of concern regarding her emotional-mental state, which had not been altogether optimal for reasons that were clearly delineated at the time.

Rush looks away, one corner of his mouth twisting in a muted grimace.

"Attempting to predict what is by its nature unpredictable," he says quietly, "is an inherently problematic approach."

The air silent but for the hiss of wind over water. He inclines his head, and adds with the faint lift of eyebrows, "and there was no predicting the end result."