[She tries to laugh it off, but the sound comes out heavy and slightly strained.]

The sparring grounds were certainly not the same when you were gone.

[Though, that wasn't even the most of what bothered her. At the time, he had no idea how much she was leaning on him like a crutch, his presence that pillar of strength when she felt like she might falter. She knew what was in store for her with Hugo Kupka—the King made himself plain and very clear about what his plans were for Titan's Dominant, and Benedikta was to be the hook that he would bite so that her King could reel him in. She didn't like it. In fact, she fucking hated it... but she did as she was told.

And Cid being gone during those days were the hardest days she had to live through, second to those after he fled from Waloed.

Her sisters were born as a result of that. When she needed someone and could find no one... Garuda came in to help her.

And she's sure now that he knows. That he can read her like an open book, despite trying to keep herself firmly shut on the matter.

Shaking herself from those thoughts, Benedikta steps right up to him.]

But I doubt that will be what will inspire you, should you ever try.