[Nurumaiel]

"If I were your father I would be very proud of you now," said Don quietly, that strange wisdom returning to her eyes. "You've done more than win great battles and become a hero. Much, much more. I'm almost afraid to say it, Rie, for fear that you'll disagree. But it's true."

"What's true?" Rie asked. "What have I done that would make my father proud of me?"

"It all depends on what kind of father he is," said Don. "If he's the kind of father who only cares about great battles, heroic deeds, glory and honor, then he wouldn't be proud in the least. But if he were the type of father who cares for family, love, and kindness as well as those, then he would be so proud of you, Rie, that he probably wouldn't be able to stand it."

"And if he were?" the woman asked. "What would have made him proud?"

"I was lost and alone in this world. Entirely alone. My parents were dead, my family was being dragged apart, and life was nothing but a miserable void of nothingness. And then I ran away, and I came here, and I met you. Any other person would have ignored me, or even if she spoken with me, would soon leave because of my sharp tongue and stubborn personality. But Rie, you didn't. You were my friend no matter what I said, no matter what I did. And you became my family when I had none. If my father were… were…" Don choked on a sob and a tear trickled down her cheek. She took a hold of herself and started again. "If I had done what you did, if I had loved someone who desperately needed love, if I had become a family for someone who had none, and my father were still alive, he would be very, very proud. And even if that wouldn't make your father proud, Rie, I'm proud of you, and I love you so much."