"Char? Char, are you in here?"
"Yes, Cassie. I'm here."
"Leo is looking for you."
"Why?"
"Normally, as you probably know, I'd pry it out of him, but he kind of had that 'Shut up and don't ask questions' look on his face."
"Uh-huh."
"So…I wasn't gonna ask."
"Well, that's very helpful."
"You know how scary he looks when he makes that face while wearing his Rhino frame."
"Yes, I do."

A silence falls over the two of them. The shorter of the pair plays with a little blob of anti-matter energy in her hands nervously.

"So…Char?"
"What?"
"Are you…are you okay?"
"Huh?"
"Like…does it hurt or anything still? You know…"
"I'm okay, Cassie. I almost smacked into a pillar and fell up the stairs, but otherwise, I'm fine."
"Why are you laughing about that!?"
"I'm not! I'll get used to seeing out of one eye soon."
"You won't be able to provide sniper cover anymore, right?"
"Yeah."
"…I'm sorry."
"What for?"
"I mean…you said really wanted to own a Lanka…but now…"
"Well, that sucks, sure, but at least I'm still here talking to you."
"…yeah. Yeah…that's true. Hey. Uhm. Could you, uh, stay put? So Leo can find you."
"Sure. I can wait for him."
"Yeah…okay. I'll go get him now."

She leaves the hall at a sprint, the faint white light of her energy trailing behind her.

"Hello, Charon."
"Sir."
"Drop the formalities, son. You know I don't like being called that."
"…Sorry."
"I was informed you didn't want the eye?"
"Yes, sir – I mean…Leo."
"I believe the benefits were explained to you thoroughly."
"Yes they were."
"Care to tell me why you refused?"
"…pardon my bluntness, but why are you asking?"

The older Tenno folds his arms across his chest.

"I'm just a nosy old man. I'm curious, that's all."
"You're not old."
"I'm pretty sure I'm old enough to be your dad, so I believe that counts."

The younger male shuffles a little.

"I guess I just didn't want something that wasn't real."
"A cybernetic eye's plenty real if you ask me."
"I mean it like…it's not ever really going to be a part of me. I wasn't born with a mechanical eye. And…"

He stops talking abruptly, running a hand through his pale hair. The older raises an eyebrow.

"Nevermind. I can't figure out how to explain this to you. You'll give me that face of yours again."
"What face?"
"The…I don't remember, Cassie called it your 'I don't understand what you're talking about so shut up' face."
"What."
"Go ask her. I'm innocent."
"I don't think I want to. She gives me a bigger migraine than a Nervos."

He uncrosses his arms and regards the younger man – a boy still, really – with a softened expression.

"I won't force you to rationalise your decision. It's your choice, after all, and I believe you know the consequences well enough."
"Thank you."
"Your original Nekros helmet is a gone case, so I've arranged for a Raknis for you instead."
"Oh. T-thank you."
"By the way, I'm sorry."
"…what for?"
"This should not have happened to you. The Stalker never meant to go after you."
"…what?"
"He was after me."
"Then…why?"
"Because you were easy pickings. A baby separated from the pack. He realised that it would be suicide for him to attack me because Cassie was there. She's too fast for him. She'd have him flat on his back before he could even draw his bow."

"Charon…I'm really sorry. We both are. You didn't deserve this."
"But it's not your fault…I mean…nobody could've expected…"
"I was supposed to look out for you. I promised Madeleine that I would, and I screwed up. Damn near bit my head off for that, she did."
"Leo…sir…it's not your fault. I don't blame you."
"I know, son. I know. Thank you. But that doesn't make me feel any less shitty."

He reached out and ruffled the younger Tenno's hair.

"You should go back and get more rest."
"Yes sir."
"And try not to fall over the steps again."
"Y-you saw?!"
"Yep."