[Inko sniffled, but didn't feel surprise at his soft little rumble.

If anything...it was...

Nice.

She closed her eyes.]

I...my family and friends always...protected me. They didn't really trust me to grow on my own. When I tried to push myself, they would protect me more.

[She smiled.]

I was like a bird with clipped wings. I couldn't fly even if I wanted to.

[A pause.]

But with you...I can. You pushed me to be self-reliant in a way nobody ever did. Even if...I'm not sure if you even intended to at first. But there was something about you when we first met that made me want to prove myself. And...I still want to prove myself. I want to be strong and capable enough to stand by your side as an equal.

Maybe it seems childish, but...

...I have more here in just this short time than I ever had at home.