" Is that why you were there, then? To save the people of that land or something? " she asked at last, capturing the other woman's gaze when she offered it again. She understood that anger all too well. And for all too long. Since childhood, she harbored a similar anger. A frustration that time and time again, the infuriating edict of "You can't save them all" continued to prove true. No matter how hard she tried, no matter what she studied or how hard she trained or how much of herself she sacrificed to lessen the pain of her people...she always came up short.

People continued to die before their time. Their lives were only minimally improved.

"NO, NO ..." SHE SHAKES HER HEAD, folding her hands loosely together in her lap. "Not at first, anyway. I was ... looking for my uncle." Her voice wavers on the word uncle, but she swallows thickly around it. Composes herself, knowing that if she presses too hard on this invisible wound, she'll only end up tearing it wide open. "But, I ended up meeting a lot of good people there, just as I've met a lot of good people here," her eyes soften at the corners, a gentle smile indicating that Nabooru is one of those people. "And all I've ever wanted to do is help where I can." It's impossible to help everyone. She knows that, having witnessed this truth time and time again. But knowing the truth and shouldering the burden of it's consequences were two entirely different things.

Aurora's still not sure how to separate them.

When Nabooru speaks again, her conviction forms a knot at the back of her throat. She nods, quietly, as if she almost needs the reminder that she'd done good ... does good. Barovia would always be with her — a dark spot on the corner of her heart. But, it was just that: a spot. A mere drop in the well of the love for the world she still carries. "Thank you ... for saying that, Nabooru. I'm glad to know I'm not alone in my anger. And, if I'm being entirely honest, I don't really know how to exist without it as it stands now."

She exhales, tilting her head back enough to look above at the starlit sky. The night is clear and beautiful. And she doesn't take for granted the vision of the sky, unobstructed by a veil of mist. "We can't save them all, but that doesn't mean we can't still try. And it'll be a cold day in the Hells before I ever give up on someone that needs help." While she can't be certain what awaits her in the place the Morninglord's light can't reach, she's comforted by Nabooru now. Clings to that feeling for as long as she can.