He drapes her jacket gently over his forearm, letting her talk. The fluff of familiar information usually follows a path to a different conclusion. At her warning, a flash of laughter lightens his mouth. "My thanks, Lady Satsuki. I'll be sure to allocate all of our new funds to increasing the firepower in the Symphony Regalia's Presto."

He catches her eye, eyes lowering to the floor and then flicking back toward her face. "I choose this duty for myself," he says, "please do not concern yourself." The things he can do for her are wrought with the duty they took on as children. This is not duty, and it will never be enough.