nikolai dikulizi —

"She can’t just leave us here, not right after we’re all together like this. Yeah, exactly, but I can’t help but worry about her, you know? She’s strong, of course, but I don’t think she knows how to fight or do any of those things at all."

"I'm just trying not to think about it. I'm -- I believe in her, you know?"

" ‘Course not! I don’t lie, my mom used to say that lyin’ makes you grow hair on your tongue. I mean, I don’t think it does, but I don’t wanna’ take that chance."

"------------Okay. Thank you. For ----- everything."

"I normally am."

"Exactly! I mean, she might come back, right? She might be one of the few that actually return?"

"She will return -- she wouldn't leave us here. You know how she is -- she's probably worrying about us right now, and fighting her way back. As always, she's -- so strong."

"Well when she comes back, you can take care of her then. Maybe she just got lost on her way back to the ship or somethin’. I used to get lost on Pluto all the time."

"-------------You're not lying, right? To make me feel better?"

"No, wait, you’re supposed to be the optimistic one— I don’t want to believe either, and I won’t. I mean, why tell us to avoid contact with someone that’s not even alive?"

"--------------You're right. You're right."

"But you’re like never scared…” He was a little amazed, and now worried. If Niko was scared, should he be too? “You don’t gotta be scared, I can help keep you safe and not scared and all that.” He grinned brightly, lifting his arms and flexing, more playfully than anything else. 

"I don't care about being safe. I can take care of myself -- Adora is gone. I couldn't take care of her, and that's my fault. If she's dead ----------"

"Whoa…could you really do that?" He blinked and raised his hands defensively, "Not like I want you too or anything but——-" Bernie stopped himself before he started digging his own grave. "———She’s probably fine, Adora was super nice and tough."

"--------Sorry, Bernie. I -- I'm just scared."

"Are people saying she is? That’s fucked up— It’s not like anyone on the list was confirmed as dead."

"Lina, I -- I don't want to believe them, but------"

"Unfortunately. He was one of the first two to go missing."

"----Oh, sweetheart. That's -- that's horrible."

"Of course, miss. This planet is beautiful; who wouldn’t want to explore? Worrying only builds up anxiety, and though the others seem much more pessimistic than you, you really shouldn’t sink to their level. Cheer up!"

"----Okay. Fine. I'll -------- cheer up?"

"That is quite an impressive threat; she must have meant a lot to you."

"Perhaps she’s simply off exploring. There are a lot of those these days."

"You can count on me to keep my mouth shut. I know what it feels like."

"----------Really?"