[He was a little surprised when Setsuna touched him. Neither of them had ever really been the tactile type, but perhaps that was why it made such an impact. He brought his eyes up to look at him.]
Setsuna... [What did one say to that? There was nothing Tieria could say. Someone else having confidence in him when he didn't was always such a surprise to him. He nodded a little, leaving that in silence for a moment to acknowledge what Setsuna said and wordlessly thank him before moving on.]
But, Hiling, yes. That is what she was designed for. It is in her very being to fight. [But, no, it was not an excuse. Tieria knew that. He had been designed to fight as well. As had Revive. They've both moved past that, finding other ways to expend that desire and instinct through the Defense Force. More constructive ways.]
I do not believe that Revive is a threat to us beyond perhaps information. He does still speak with Hiling, though not with Ribbons as much. He has told me himself that he wished to try separating from them. [Tieria had to admire that. It was difficult to move away from a situation relying on someone so much to tell you what to do and into a situation of free will. He could understand that, having been there himself.] I just... I am not certain of Hiling's motives anymore. I cannot tell if she is being truthful, or just playing a game. I will not deny her the chance to live, but I cannot simply trust her to abide by the rules all the time so suddenly.
And, for Ribbons... [Tieria shook his head.] If this is the last time I need to speak with him, then that will be fine. [He had tried. He had believed. And he had been hurt. Added to what Ribbons had ochestrated back home, Tieria couldn't let that go. He knew Setsuna wanted him to, but he couldn't. He wouldn't dwell on it, as he knew it amounted to nothing in the end, but he could not trust Ribbons for the future. It would take a lot for that to happen.]