Besca was quiet for a few moments, which was probably not what Quinn wanted in response to a question like that. In her defense, it was a [i]tough[/i] question, and more complex than someone in such a state could likely realize. But, that was alright; it took her a bit but she did eventually figure out her answer.

“[color=gray]It’d be easier,[/color]” she said. Dahlia looked at her like she’d just burst into flames, but she motioned her down. “[color=gray]And a heck of a lot simpler, but neither of those are the same as ‘[i]better[/i]’. Cause you know what? It would have been easier for you to have just refused to be a pilot. It would have been easier to have just killed Roaki. God, it’d been easier for me to have given up after Hovvi—just throw my hands up and walk away from RISC, and Deelie, and you. My life would be simpler,[/color]” she came around and crouched down in front of Quinn, eye to eye. “[color=gray]But not at [i]all[/i] better.[/color]

“[color=gray]The fact is, Quinn, you cause problems. You don’t think the way most of Illun does; you certainly don’t think the way [i]I[/i] do about a lot of things, especially piloting. I still think that’s a good thing. I still think every time you step into that cockpit I end up learning a lesson about how to be better. [i]You[/i] make me better.[/color]”

“[color=skyblue]Me too,[/color]” Dahlia quietly agreed, taking Besca’s place behind Quinn, hands squeezing her shoulders. 

“[color=gray]So, no, hun. No, my life wouldn’t be better. I said I wouldn’t rather you be any other way. I meant it.[/color]”