[The space of time in which Elliot talks is more than enough for Kaoru to regain control again, to present what needs to be presented in a situation like this. It would be awful, awful to come this far only for the facade to come crumbling down for the same reason it always does.

There's a paleness to the smile Elliot is given, but it just looks homesick rather than sick from the unfortunate person he is.]

It hasn't been very long. Less than a week. [It's still a fresh pain, even though Kaoru is equally talented at shoving away new and old things alike.]

Thank you, though... I didn't want to speak much of it, since everyone has their own worries and struggles here. Her friends know already, so that seemed enough.

[It isn't enough, of course. Even the promise of her safety isn't enough. Nothing will ever be enough until they're back together again, side by side, suffering through whatever Cerealia throws at them with equal, matching steps.]