[ Ori knows that she’s nowhere near as strong as Beatrix and Diluc. She can’t hope to be even half the swordsmen that they both are. But perhaps they can show her how to better wield one - a smaller, lighter one - so that if, spirits forbid, she ever finds herself in a situation where she cannot rely on her magic, she doesn’t have to rely entirely on her staff.

She waits for Beatrix’s response on baited breath, a long pause which she fills by idly plucking a rose from the nearest shrub and pulling at its petals one by one in her lap. At her friend’s words, she glances over with a wry smile. ]

I do understand, and I don’t think I think of you too highly.

It’s not quite the same for me, but I’ve used my own skills for some questionable things, too. I think a lot of us here have. [ She knows Diluc has. ] But that doesn’t mean you can’t begin to use them for better things. You did that when you fought Eustace. I know it feels like it wasn’t enough, but where would we all be right now, if you hadn’t been there to protect Tifa and the others?

There’s good in you, Beatrix. If I only saw the past in each person… Well, I wouldn’t have any friends, honestly. What you did was horrible. But… What’s why you have to work harder to make sure no one has to bear the same guilt that you have to. We’ve all got to do better.