"Most here are ill-suited to combat and deprivation. It makes them easy to manipulate." Give someone a luxury, and many will do anything to keep that luxury. That was why Gadriel determined to deprive himself of as many as possible.

"She does fight well." It's more than agreement, it's the kind of warm glow of a friend being recognized for what she was best at. He wanted to say more, but he and Nina were...he didn't know where he stood with her now. "She is a good ally." There, that was safe at least.