[as satoko is putting her cards away, anna leans back and takes another long, slow pull off her cigarette. the loneliness that comes with each new world... if this were a few months ago, that would hurt her worse than it does. which isn't to say she's devoid of pain, as scant few people around here already know. she just knows she's not as lonely anymore.]

I didn't save you to be in your debt. [there's an open pause in her words, one that she might almost be allowing to give satoko room to interject. but she continues talking after just shy of too long, once the words take shape properly.]

I already know Rose won't ever find her way here, no matter how much I want it. But that's not a reason to let the world get any emptier when I find someone who isn't her washed up on that beach.