[ Vira is used to praise, unmoved by it—too conceited to care, really, except in moments like these. Katalina was the first person to humble her, her crew's captain the second, and now perhaps Harrow is the third.

Because unnervingly dear hits very close to her own feelings, which is not so unexpected, because Harrow is alarmingly easy to embrace and understand. Her hand and her face feel warm before she ducks in without thinking, inhibitions worn out by the week's effects as she kisses her, lingering for a long, doting moment before pulling away, as though in gratitude. ]

—Thank you, Harrowhark. If I've eased your woes in any way, then I'm glad. I know we're meant to indulge in despair, but perhaps it's not so bad to have some reprieve from it from time to time.

[ Is that counterproductive? Is this not its own indulgence? She'll worry about it next week. ]