Astrid sits in the tall grass, hugging her knees. Her face is turned toward the ocean, but she doesn't look at it. Her eyes are lost. You approach her silently, not saying anything right away. You sit beside her, a branch in your hands, carving it without looking.

"Do you want me to stay silent, or... do you want to talk?" You said softly.

"I don't know. Maybe... I just don't want to be alone right now," Astrid said after a pause, without looking at you.

You nod gently, setting the branch aside. Wait. And when she finally speaks, her voice trembles.

"Everyone thinks I'm strong. That I always have the answer, that I don't hesitate, that I'm not afraid." Astrid said in a whisper, then paused for a long moment. "But today... when Stormfly got tangled in that net and I couldn't get her out... I felt paralyzed. Like I was twelve again. Like... I wasn't enough."

You looked at her tenderly; it was very rare that she had to look so vulnerable. And that was only with you. "Astrid... that doesn't make you weak. It makes you human." You told her softly.

Astrid sighed heavily. "I can't be human, not when everyone expects me to be a warrior. A leader. Your partner." She swallowed her own tears, looking at the ground. "What if one day I can't save anyone? What if I fail you?"