[ They suppose they would have always eventually had to know the state of relations between the two factions, if they're going to live here— but it doesn't make hearing about the tenuous peace any easier on their nerves. It might seem like Springstar, and the room this symposium is taking place in are relatively safe, but to Crona, the more they hear about the inevitability of this ending stalemate, the more and more paranoid they become about their surroundings. Each person walking around could be a potential enemy. And with their sudden loss of all that might have protected them before... their heart thunders away in their chest from anxiety, noticeable in the uncomfortable grimace that drags at their face, even through their attempts to mute it. ]

Then... all the ones who came from that tree... [ Each person they'd seen clawing their way out, each one they'd spoken to at Zenith's meet and greet, and even this woman before them, allegedly, ] Everyone will be on different sides.

[ Indecisive as they are, they can imagine others will have stronger inclinations towards one side. In a great conflict, there's no such thing as being friendly with the other side - that's just a kindness waiting to be taken advantage of. Their lips pull into a thin, taut line, hugging themself tighter. ]

How can you speak to me so easily, then...? [ Or any of the new shard-bearers, for that matter? ] I might not...

[ They might end up her enemy. What would be the point of ever trying to be kind to them, then? ]