[ She hums softly, mulling over those hypotheticals. By their nature, they don't require answers, but she entertains them all the same — it's her job to consider every possible outcome (arguably it's both their jobs) and what she concludes doesn't paint a very pretty picture. But reality is often grim, particularly the one she's known: a world at war with itself, rising up against those who are deemed different, slaughtering them so that only one voice remains.

People are so often afraid of what they don't understand or the possibility of others being more powerful, usurping power, the minority becoming the majority. If the natives here learn the universe is more vast than they realised, the threat of invasion is not too far-fetched (even if it is). However: ]

You're right, [ she murmurs after a beat, cupping the rim of her mug with thumb and forefinger, rubbing the latter idly against it. ] How Wyver and Olympia handle the next few months will give us a better idea about the rest. Watching and waiting isn't exciting but it is necessary.

[ And she happens to excel at it. There's a stretch of silence, and then she leans back gingerly and flashes him a slight smile. ]

Thank you, by the way. For indulging my curiosity.