[ She nods, agreeing with his assessment on the why. It's not surprising to her that it takes someone who isn't human to be blunt with someone who is. Children are handled so very differently by human adults. ]

Mm. Most adults don't want kids to be scared. But it's not smart. Not around here, and not around most places. We need to know what's happening as much as anyone else.

[ But that's enough about that. It's part of why she appreciates the swords. They are protective, yes, but it's a physical protectiveness. They haven't learned to be emotionally protective against things there is no true defense against, and they don't lie and say things will all be fine. It doesn't make it comfortable or fun, but it does make it easier to trust that when they say, some of us will make it through, things won't be a total wash.

Besides, harsh realities delivered unflinchingly by spirits? She's been there before. She's grown because she had to grow. She'll keep moving forward because giving up isn't an option she can live with. ]

Mm, they're all pretty incredible! I'm glad to have met them.

[ She doesn't see what he'd said about freedom being problematic when it comes so large and suddenly. There's a sort of organisation that remains for the swords, but it's different. Being human like enough to start feeling and sympathizing, if not empathizing, with humanity... it's got to be hard.

She finds it hard, and she's human through and through. ]

We're almost there! Down this block and around the corner there.