I wasn't going to-- [Merlan huffs softly.] I've never really socialised with other Hunters. Not really. I never went to the retreats with my family, never could deal with the sheer noise or emotion. But you hear things, though.

Every scar is a story and a history. That's what my auntie would say.

[She hands him the cocoa when he's comfortable.]

Mind, the mug's spelt to keep heat.

[There's a quiet freedom to being able to gently use magic like this. It's...unburdening, unshackling.]

Better is as perfect a word as you can get. Kidnap aside, getting out of our universe is kinda a good thing, especially for you. I'm glad Nami's here with you, for you. That sort of friendship, where you've been through all sorts of things with another person, that's the sort that means the most.

They do, honestly, count. [She leans a fraction into Sam but is careful to keep just enough comfortable distance.] The blanket forts.