Lux nodded. "Mariko was idealistic when we first met. But it's been...a few years since then, and they were cruel to her." I was cruel to her. Whatever her reasons, whatever her need to have Mariko back, Lux was honest enough with herself to recognize that.

And, as painful as discussing her failures with Mariko was, it was far safer ground than discussing the other optimist she loved. Mentioning Gabriel would take her down an extremely uncomfortable pathway.