[anna extends her hand again if ange wants to take it. this conversation has been difficult, but she wants her friend to know that they are still friends, and they're friends who are in this together—that is, if ange wants that. it's her decision. it's always everyone else's decision.]

We deserve better. You deserve better, Ange. Better than being, I don't know, some chess piece for the gods to pick up and throw around a great cosmic board. [best not to think about which conversation had brought that to her mind again.]

It's why I'm going out and trying to rescue people from pirates whenever I can. I can't fight back against the gods, but I sure as hell can try to help these people find some fucking agency in their lives here. I can help them start things off without being at the mercy of whatever's sailing around out there.

I don't... know how much it really helps. [she admits it suddenly, like she's not totally in control of the words she's saying.] But I feel like it does something to put some good back into this world. And maybe that'll help tip the scales back in our favor one of these days.