[ Maika falls silent for a long while, letting that thought sink into her bones. Aerith says it so lightly, but what had that cost? Everything Maika's ever done in her life is to become strong — to chase her mother's ambition, her mother's approval. That strength never left any room for kindness. Failing to answer force with force would just encourage more of the same.

What would it take to absorb that without coming to hate everyone and everything? A lot more than Maika ever had. ]

...Why? How do you keep hoping? When you've seen how people are, why even bother looking for the good in them? What good does it do anyone if it's buried down under their selfishness and brutality?