The Good a Compliment Can Bring PV Closed

It wasn't often that one would find Thora with time on her hands and a less-than-crushing load of homework, much less wandering the halls of Hogwarts as if she hadn't a care in the world. Though she couldn't want anything more than to truly carefree, she'd seen enough to know that that wouldn't be possible. But one could always do their best to make things fun, right?

Besides, it wasn't like she was going to be able to focus. The supposedly secret Blossomball--what had been an annual event--was scheduled to be the following night, and all talk anywhere in the castle seemed to revolve around the idea. If she was being honest, it all dampened Thora's mood, as she had yet to make her decision concerning her attendance--or purposeful avoidance. Both sides had their pros and cons, of course. To go could possibly offer an opportunity for information--given that she was brave enough to ask for it, of course--and if anything, a firsthand experience of whatever happened. That said, she wasn't exactly expecting it to go well and smoothly, especially considering how the Masquerade went. Again, it was secret, far from the professors' eye, and thus, the event was basically students left to their devices. Thora had no doubt the planners had done exceptionally well in their jobs, but then again, something was bound to happen at a Hogwarts ball. It was practically tradition, after all.

Though people were chatting away in every corner of the place, as could only be expected at a boarding school with hundreds of young students, it didn't exactly bother the brunette. In fact, she'd barely even noticed that the noise had gradually risen as the ball drew closer.

The Small Hall was admittedly a strange place for Thora to be, seeing that she typically preferred solitude or peace over a bustling atmosphere, but as her feet had brought her there, she saw no reason to leave. First of all, a little noise couldn't do her much harm--well, since she wasn't planning to study, anyhow--and secondly, perhaps she just might happen to come across someone she knew. That was always nice, wasn't it?

Walking in a small circle around the room, the Slytherin offered a smile to whoever made eye contact, otherwise trying to keep her green eyes downcast as much as possible. She could handle conversation, albeit a bit awkwardly, but most times, she found it more convenient to just keep to herself. Finally locating an unoccupied chair, the girl sat herself down, resting her chin on a cupped hand. She likely appeared stalkerish, tracking people's movements as they moved along, but it wasn't intended. After all, Thora hardly ever tried to make someone feel out of place. But people-watching got old awfully fast, even if it was entertaining at times.

And so, from within the folds of slightly oversized robes came a sketchbook. Thick pages--good for paints, which tended to be Thora's medium of choice--were sandwiched by turquoise covers, faded and scuffed with time. The binding had also partially unwound itself as she used it over the years. Still, while it wasn't the prettiest-looking thing, she treasured it, though perhaps more so formerly, rather than now. It wasn't that her talent had been siphoned out of her (though sometimes it certainly felt like it), but rather motivation. Recently, she'd lost the drive to pick up her paints, and to do any form of art. Besides, between classes, homework, Quidditch, and trying her best to provide the little she could to the Potter investigation, there wasn't much time for such hobbies or fancies. It was a shame, yes, but also the truth.

In fact, this had been the first time in a while that Thora'd cared to remove the book from its place right next to her four-poster bed. It had been under her pillow for some time, but eventually removed as it was used less and less. The brunette opened it, flipping through the pages slowly. Most of the art had been done long ago, and to see what she'd once been able to create and likely no longer could generated a pang of sadness. The turning of pages only ceased when she came to a painting of Hogwarts, done in watercolor.

If she remembered correctly, it had been finished about a year ago, now. It was far from perfect, the shading a little off, but she'd always liked the piece. Hogwarts was her second home after all--and it felt like so more than her first one in Ireland now--even though plenty of things had happened recently at the castle which would probably affect Thora for a while. It really was strange, how friends and magic could make the difference…

She nearly started as a voice spoke from behind her, catching herself just in time to remain composed. A compliment, it seemed. It wasn't often that one noticed her paintings, much less commented on them, but Thora didn't mind. She never really made the point to carry around her sketchbook indiscreetly, much less show it off, so there really wasn't much reason for someone to do so. But nevertheless, it was nice to hear, whoever the disembodied voice was. "Thanks," she answered automatically, turning her head to greet the person--a student, judging from the voice. She didn't like being kept in the dark about their identity, especially since it brought a feeling like she was being watched (which she was), and the other probably didn't either.

Thora's green eyes traveled up the figure, meeting the hazel ones of one Katrina Walker. Honestly, she could barely remember the last time she'd seen the redhead, except for in passing. The realizations sent a bit of guilt shooting through the Slytherin. Katrina wasn't exactly her friend, but it wasn't like she held anything against her. Actually--Katrina had flipendoed her into a bookshelf, but despite quite frankly overreacting that evening, Thora didn't think it a big deal anymore. First of all, she'd been so busy since then that she'd barely even thought about the incident for months. And even so, a hit to the head hadn't even hurt that much. Sure, it'd been a few hours of physical pain, and a slight to the little pride she'd then had, but far worse circumstances had come to pass since then. It had been nothing.

It probably was her fault that she'd been avoiding Katrina lately, but it didn’t' seem like too much a problem, seeing that neither girl seemed to feel the need to seek the other out. But she could change things now, and she could show that she'd changed as a person. How the Gryffindor would react wasn't for her to judge, but Thora supposed it was up to her to do her part. "Katrina," she began, "Hey, how've you been doing?" She offered a small smile, gesturing to a vacant chair next to hers.

After all, there was never anything wrong with a little catching up, was there?

OOC- So sorry for the late reply!

Katrina watched with admiration at the painted image of the Hogwarts castle. A ponderous look glazed Katrina's features. The style looked a lot like someone Katrina had been really close friends with, someone that she still felt some guilt towards. Thora Larkston. There felt like there were still loose ends that Katrina hadn't felt brave enough to mend before.

When the person thanked Katrina, it took her a quick moment to register that her half-assumption had been right. It was Thora. Emotion flashed quickly across her features, thankfully, Thora hadn't seen that. It was the last thing in the world that Katrina wanted to push Thora away again.

Then Thora turned, Katrina could see her recognition. She had changed in the last few...many months. There was more confidence, an air of responsibility. That feeling that the girl in front of you had grown up, she had seen things she couldn't un-see, she had heard things that scared her, she had been hurt, but she had lived through it. Overall, the girl in front of her seemed older, more mature (if that even was possible). Thora looked ready to forgive and amend past mistakes and start new.

Katrina followed Thora's gesture, taking a seat in one of the cushioned chairs. The second year pulled her legs up into a crisscross and leaned over, stretching her back absentmindedly. With the acknowledgement of how Thora had grown, Katrina had to think about how she had grown. She was more open now, willing to talk whenever asked. She had more resolute and confidant mannerisms. Katrina also had a snarky side when pushed.

"I'm pretty good," Katrina started slowly trying to honestly determine how she had been, "With the whole... event... soon, I've kinda been worn down. Not even sure if I want to go. No, I don't want to go, but I might go just to make sure the first-years who know hardly any spells don't get themselves killed. But it's the only thing people talk about," Katrina knew she was rambling and caught herself.

"I did see you in the Quidditch game, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, you were great," Katrina stopped, reddening with the realization that they had lost that game, and she didn't mean to rub it in, "I-- uh, sorry. I really doing know much about Quidditch," She trailed off uncertain of how to continue.

"Were you at the last SWAG game?" Katrina tried to remember if Thora had been there, Out of Range, Katrina had almost won, but didn't. "The one where Bridget won?" Katrina wasn't even sure if Thora knew Bridget. She assumed they had at least met since they were both semi-quiet second year Slytherin girls, and were both on Quidditch together.

"Anyway, how have you been?" Katrina was so confused as to why she was struggling starting a conversation. She normally wasn't this scattered or unfocussed she just wanted to make up for lost time and start new, why was it so hard?

Small talk. It was perhaps the most commonly resorted-to tactic in conversation, whether between friends or strangers, and something that Thora had honestly become too familiar with. Her being not at all gifted in social aspects, it was perhaps a necessity in colloquy despite her constant failure at it, since it was somewhat of a veil behind which she could hide. After all, talking about relatively small matters provided a somewhat welcome respite from heavier topics, which seemed to come up in conversations left and right. But at the same time, it made her rather uncomfortable to skirt delicately around the sensitive subjects, as if dancing around fire. It was difficult to do properly, after all, made even harder with her rather limited social awareness.

In her fumble for words, though, she'd no doubt sparked an extensive train of speech ─ one that called for questions coming back at her from her interlocutor, apparently. Thora had worked up a considerable amount of confidence in the past months, but the underlying sense of wariness she still felt around Katrina left her mouth dry for uncomfortable seconds as the other girl spoke. She knew perfectly well that her wariness had simply stemmed from an accident, and she couldn't exactly hold the injury against the redhead anymore ─ besides, a Flipendo, even if it was into a rock-hard bookshelf, seemed laughably pale next to all else that had happened recently. Still, the lingering distrust was in her nature, and she still tended to distance herself from those she didn't quite trust completely. And that infinitely long list of people, for now, contained Katrina's name.

It didn't mean Thora wouldn't talk, though. Of course not ─ although an unseen shiver passed down her spine as the following day's ball was brought up again. The redhead mentioned going for the sake of first years and their limited knowledge, a fact which Thora did admire a bit. It was truly an act worthy of a Gryffindor, as per the stereotype, at least, and one that she most certainly lacked the bravery for. She might've even considered it excessive or unnecessary, since she was fairly confident in everyone ─ even the first years ─ to defend themselves if need be. It was already April, after all, so no doubt they were already far too used to the dangers they faced every day. But even so, she respected anyone selfless enough to take up the task of defending strangers and possibly endangering themselves in the process.

Thora was a girl of logic, and so arguments began forming in her brain ─ why it would be smart to just avoid it, why it simply wasn't a good idea to go, et cetera ─ and rose in her throat as Katrina continued to speak. "I mean," the Slytherin began hesitantly, not wanting to cut off the other girl, "it's not like you have to go to the ball. There's no obligation, after all, since we can't predict what'll transpire," She spoke plainly, choosing to make no mention of her decision in attending. It seemed almost like a speech to her own ears, but it was simply her logic-based thinking. Katrina not being one of her friends kept Thora at a distance, not wanting to insert herself where she wasn't welcome and afraid to make suggestions to someone she didn't know well, so she refrained from making opinions. Not now, at least.

She had to watch her words carefully if she were to keep talking, though. "See, if people want to go despite it supposedly being cancelled, it's their choice." She paused, making up her own mind in the process. Having attended the Masquerade, she highly doubted it would all go without a hitch, and so was loath to even set her gaze on the upcoming event. Still, she'd just about promised she'd be there, an insignificant asset to a plan, and wasn't about to go back on her word. "Just─" she nearly lost herself. What was there to say? That she didn't want to see Katrina hurt? It was true, and Thora didn't wish to see anyone injured, but it was an awkward thing to say to someone who probably didn't consider her more than an acquaintance or ex-friend.

"It's a noble thing for you to want to go for that reason, and I really mean it, but just─ try not to get yourself hurt." Why was it so hard to say? Although their second year had clearly seen a strained relationship, if there even was anything left but the few strands more delicate than spider silk tying the previous friends together, Thora still cared. It was simply in her character, after all. Still, it was a foreign phrase to the girl with few friends and unaccustomed to expressing emotion.

Thankfully, her discomfort was alleviated (for the moment, at least) as the conversation swung smoothly to Quidditch. Her team's last match of the season versus Gryffindor had been over a month ago already, but the mention of it still stung a bit, Thora being a proud member of the then-defeated Slytherin Quidditch team. Both teams had played exceptionally well, something she couldn't deny, but it was mildly irksome that their demise had resulted from just one score of the Quaffle. More interesting, though, was the fact that Katrina had actually seen her.

See, the brunette thought it perfectly normal for one to watch matches, as she often did so herself. In all three of Slytherin's matches, though, it would've been terribly hard to spot Thora, since she'd never actually played. "Oh, uh, it's funny that you mention that, honestly," she began, "I'm a reserve player, actually, so I was never up in the sky… It's still awfully nice of you, though," a small smile turned her lips upwards as she trailed off. While the fact that she was part of the team, yet had never actually flown in an official game, was embarrassing and somewhat marred the pride that came from being a part of an amazing group of players, Thora wasn't afraid to admit it. She was only to stand in for Koko if needed, and so far, circumstances hadn't required her to. It was that simple. Besides, the team had proved to work well together as it was, and she didn't feel the need to jump in ─ besides, she certainly didn't want to see anyone falling.

"No, it's fine," Thora assured the redhead regarding her apparent limited knowledge of Quidditch, "Some know, some don't. I guess it just has to do with interest in the sport." It was a vague statement, but true nevertheless. Quidditch players knew the game, obviously, and no doubt enthusiastic spectators as well. Others likely prioritized other interests over Quidditch, and that was understandable, too. Thora herself hadn't understood the mechanics until she'd joined the team at the beginning of the year, and since she did now, she briefly considered filling Katrina in. But what if she simply didn't care about Quidditch? Perhaps not, then.

The Slytherin hastily set the forgotten sketchbook next to where she sat, needing to rid herself of distraction as the conversation went on. The subject seemed to be changing as fast as she could answer, which definitely wasn't an inherent annoyance or problem, but she'd surely lose herself flipping through the pages. Ah, S.W.A.G. club was next? Honestly, Thora had joined the club on a whim, wanting to just try it out ─ it sounded fun, after all ─ and decided to stay on after the first game. Katrina'd mentioned the game where Bridget had won, which was Out of Range, if she remembered correctly. Though it had been just weeks prior, the game had begun slipping from her memory already, blurring with the more insignificant things of the past. Of course, it was plenty fun, and she was glad for the opportunity to take her mind off of schoolwork and such, but all three games had been rather similar ─ well, maybe except for the second one, with everything spiraling into physical attacks. She never won ─ and didn't care about the fact, frankly ─ and at the end of the day, it was just a game. A good memory, yes, but not especially important.

"I was at the last S.W.A.G. game, yes," she finally answered, "You?" Searching her memory, she did remember seeing Katrina there, but the redirecting question had left her mouth before she could take it back. Well, conversation never did anyone too much harm, right? "Oh, and I'm fine," she answered, tone neutral. Fine probably wasn't the truth, since all was certainly not fine even simply in the castle, but she wasn't doing badly, so fine would cut it. Besides, she'd been saying it for so long it was practically an automatic mechanism, the words leaving her mouth when someone asked the question. At least it was convincing.

And then there was nothing more to say. There was no amount of dialogue simply waiting to fall from her lips, even after months of avoidance, and so she simply stopped trying to find them. After all, they already had a decent conversation going, so why try too hard?

Katrina noticed the air of suspicion or lack of trust. She was careful not to let that show, but she felt a surge of guilt rise up. Trust was something she regarded highly. It took a long time to build, and Katrina had never tried to rebuild it before. She would always drift away and make it so she never had to deal with that person again. But in their circumstance, it had been Katrina's fault. So she felt it was her responsibility to make it up.

Thora mentioned that there wasn't an obligation to go to the ball and Katrina was at a loss of words for a moment. That was true. However, there was that protective nature in Katrina that wouldn't let her skip the night. If something did go down, as Katrina was anticipating, she couldn't stand herself missing the night. If people got hurt, she wanted to be there. Maybe she would just get in the way or get hurt before she had time to do anything, but it would all be worth it if she helped someone else stay safe or if she took the blow for someone else.

Thora went on to make a point of it being each person's choice and Katrina nodded. That was also a valid point. She picked up on Thora's hesitation, she assumed it was just the fact that they were on unsteady ground. There wasn't much Thora could say that would hurt or annoy Katrina. Especially since her mind was already made, it seemed Thora didn't know this. However, Katrina didn't know how to portray that, so she just made a point of being extra gracious.

Katrina didn't plan on getting hurt. Thora may have struggled to get it out, but Katrina could tell that she was being genuine. She appreciated that more than anything. After this long, Thora still cared. "I'll try," Katrina knew that there was a high chance that her comment was a lie, but she doubted that Thora would mind that kind of lie.

Thora seemed more relaxed at the topic of Quidditch. "Well, what I meant to say is your team did great. I'm sure you are great in the sky as well though. Are you joining the team next year too?" Katrina was embarrassed that she had possibly offended Thora. Her backpedaling wasn't doing much good though so Katrina decided to let Thora say something and save her from another slip up.

The conversation turned to SWAG club and Katrina nodded to Thora, she really should have made a note that she was there. It didn't hurt to ask though, "Yeah, I was there. I almost won, but Bridget was always one step ahead of me," A faint smile crossed Katrina's face. It had been a while since she had really thought about it.

Thora said that she was fine and Katrina decided not to push it any further. If the topic came back around to that then she might press further. However, she was hoping they could at least get back to some stage of trust soon. It would certainly take a burden from Katrina.

As talk continued to spiral around the same subjects, words being exchanged in an almost practiced manner, Thora allowed a neutral glaze to settle over her features. This wasn't so bad, really, although her almost automated answers were likely resulting in her contributing very little to the conversation, as per usual. She didn't doubt that they could carry on a civilized conversation ─ besides, they'd done it once before since the library incident, so why not again? ─ but everything was just awkward. Of course, she personally had never been the best conversationalist to begin with and so stretches of empty air heavy with words unspoken were common, but rare was the occasion where a discussion that could be perfectly normal was pretty much a dry, distant, overly polite exchange like it seemed now.

Of course, she was glad they weren't arguing or still angry from the petty little fight months ago, but though she was sure not to show it, she had mixed feelings about both Katrina and their clearly damaged friendship. On one hand, it hurt a little to be so far from someone she'd previously considered so close ─ and one of the first people she'd met at Hogwarts, in fact ─ and there was a lingering bit of regret pooling at the bottom of her stomach as the recognition of her purposeful avoiding the Gryffindor being a major reason behind their almost cold distance nagged at the back of her mind. Deep down, she knew running away from the damage would probably only further widen the ever-widening rift, but the reaction was only in her nature. She didn't like confrontation, and so tended to opt for avoidance rather than set out to repair what she'd helped destroy.

But on the other hand, even Thora knew herself well enough to know trust didn't come so easily. After all, those she was merely acquainted with were few, and only a small percentage of those could be considered friends (or rather on the path to that closeness, however shallow). While the fact could simply be attributed to her introversion, it was also a result of the wall of defense she'd always build between her and others, one that could only be slowly broken down with time. She wasn't exactly afraid of physical pain, for she felt it was bound to happen anyway ─ well, she'd seen it a few more times at Hogwarts alone than she would've liked already, at least ─ but was afraid to lose or be hurt by those she considered friends.

And so, she was typically wary. It didn't look like anything terrible would come out of sitting and having a nice chat, though, so she allowed herself to ease up, though her expression and posture still remained the same. However much or little Thora cared about the Gryffindor at the moment, she wasn't satisfied with the two word answer to her abnormally long speech. She knew too well that an event would end up in hurt, even if the severity differed on the individual. One could try to avoid it ─ she certainly had tried back at the Masquerade ─ but it was a rather difficult feat. Perhaps she was only paranoid of hypothetical disasters, but her expectations for the Masquerade had clearly been far too high, all visions of a carefree October night crushed in mere minutes. To Thora, it was better to simply expect the worst. It was harder to be disappointed that way, after all.

So in light of the fact that she could be harboring much more fear than was even appropriate for such a matter, she chose to move on, leaving the subject behind. She wasn't in charge of whether or not Katrina went, and if she would try to stay safe, it was enough for Thora. She didn't enjoy forcing ─ or even nudging, for that matter ─ people in one way or another, anyway. Besides, she was going herself, and wasn't she going to be attempting to defy odds and avoid pain as well? All she offered was a nod, though an eyebrow had been raised imperceptibly back at the first uttering of "I'll try".

A touch of blush rose to her cheeks as Katrina complimented her team ─ and Thora, too? Though she didn't at all mind, she wasn't often recognized for her spot on the team, thanks to her second string status, and was far less skilled than her first string counterparts. "Aw- uh- thanks," she finally said, the memory of the warm March day she'd bounced on the edge of one of the pitch's lowest benches, eyes glued to every movement of her teammates and willing them to please not fall materializing briefly before her. She certainly was always proud of her team's performance, admiring their unbelievably nimble movements and such regardless of the game's outcome, and wholeheartedly agreed. As for herself, well, she wasn't terrible nor especially lacking skill, but she didn't think herself very good. Still, the praise wormed its way into her heart, exploding into a strange, unfamiliar warmth. Compliments really were interesting.

The question regarding the following season caught the girl off guard; she actually hadn't thought about nor considered much about the next school year. It was shocking, really, that she would graduate to her third year in just a few months. Though the past months had felt like an eternity, especially with all the countless hectic moments which Thora desperately wished she would've avoided, the past two years had passed like the softest breath of wind, here one moment and gone the next. Becoming a third year felt like both an implied addition of responsibility and expectations and opportunity for new growth and adventure, rather than just a change in age or level. But it was alright ─ she still had a couple months of her second year, and besides, they were only talking about Quidditch.

"I might," she began, "I mean, I do quite like the sport, but I haven't really considered it too much." And it was true ─ she really didn't know. While Quidditch had been one of those aspects of the wizarding world that had really stood out to her and flying eased her fears and pain in ways little else could, she wasn't yet sure what her schedule would look like. Graduating to third year meant possibly taking up new courses, which she did plan to do, and of course, more homework. And besides, there were always new students and more people to contend with. It was better to be hesitant than to promise something and go back on her word, anyway.

"Ah, nice job anyway," Thora returned Katrina's nod and smile to acknowledge her near-win. Personally, she'd never been very close to a victory, thanks to her own inconsistency and her team devolving into a fighting mess during Two Flags, but she didn't really mind. It was all just a game, after all. There was a feeling of satisfaction that came with winning, true, but it didn't appeal much to her. Not in the sense of S.W.A.G. club, at least.

As the space between them fell silent once more, pierced only by the surrounding hustle and bustle, she glanced upwards, searching for words. "So…" the beginning hesitant yet again, "You don't play Quidditch, right? Any… erm, hobbies and such that you've got in particular?" She bit her lip, fighting the urge to fall back into her long-gone stuttering tendency. Really, this was just getting more and more awkward, and she had no idea what to say, save profusely apologizing… Right. Apologies. It hadn't really been until now, as she willed words to come, that she'd really delved into the incident that had completely crumbled their friendship. If she ever wanted to make it up with Katrina, she'd have to start somewhere, right? Thora was certainly embarrassed to be one admitting to fault, but she hid the emotion along with the little pride she had.

"Okay, so I'd best say this already," she finally said, lifting her gaze to match the Gryffindor's grey one, "I'm sorry about what happened in the library last year." There. Short and to the point. "I-I was dramatic about it, really. It wasn't a big deal, and I… I'm sorry," she finished, left with no more words. It had been a stupid little misunderstanding, the evening in the library, and besides, Thora had shot a spell back in defense. She'd chosen to avoid Katrina for months, so wasn't it only proper for her to at least take a step toward better terms?

A tiny spark of hope leapt into the girl's eyes as a strange satisfaction settled itself in the pit of her stomach. Now, all she could do was hope that her apology hadn't been for naught.

Katrina was actually starting to relax a bit. The worry of the exact right words to say was starting to dissipate. Suddenly, her interested half-smile wasn't forced, and her posture was less stiff. Sure, she wasn't completely comfortable like they used to be, but it was getting better. She found herself sighing quietly, letting the last bit of her apprehension slip away. Thora might not be that comfortable yet, but Katrina forgiving herself was the last thing she still had to overcome.

Thora seemed to be more comfortable talking about Quidditch. Thankfully, her mishap and stumble over words wasn't really noticed and Thora took it as the compliment it was intended to be. The only bad thing about Quidditch was the fact that Katrina didn't know how to play. At all. Her fear of heights coupled with her bad luck with brooms forced Flying to be the only subject she actively struggled with. Thora mentioned that she might rejoin the team next year but her uncertainty caused Katrina to slowly move on to another subject, lest she accidentally push Thora too much in the wrong direction.

Thora complimented Katrina's performance in the SWAG game and she smiled. Taking compliments was another one of the social skills that Katrina lacked. Should she say something nice back? Was the nicety getting a bit tough for Thora too? Should she just move on? But what if Thora thought she didn't accept it?

Thankfully, Thora interrupted her internal questioning with another topic. Her interests. "Nope, no Quidditch," Katrina laughed quietly, "But I do art a bit. That's why I thought your sketchbook looked so cool. Besides art, it's a lot of school and studying," Katrina waited for a beat, thinking of what else she actually did with her life, "I am starting up a club. Scavenger Hunt Club. And next year I think I'll join dueling. Just to get some practical experience in." She nodded almost to herself, realizing that this was the first time she had said out loud that she was going to do dueling.

Thora started again. There was a shift in her tone, and uncertainty that Katrina hadn't picked up on. She apologized for what happened in the library. A huge weight that Katrina hadn't known was there lifted off her shoulders. She waited a little bit, knowing it was now her turn to apologize. "I'm sorry too. There was so much that I could have done instead of-- you know. And me distancing myself certainly didn't help much," Katrina looked down, "And I'm sorry it ruined our friendship so much. But if you are willing, I would like to... mend it... in one way or another. I know it will take a while and you probably don't trust me-- to be frank, I wouldn't trust me. So yeah, I'm really sorry too."