The water ripples, distorting their reflections. Jade turns her head, barely even recognizing the version of herself in the water anymore.

"How d'you figure? I came here with nothing. Had no one, with expectations that weren't much different from the ones I had before. And I wasn't exactly eager to make solid connections if my mind was already thinking about an exit..."

Guilt cuts through her like a knife as she yanks at her hair, her knuckles turning white. She really shouldn't be talking about this. She should be giving Imoen an out if she ends up being too much of a bother to deal with.

Jade sighs. Her shoulders slack. "Sorry. Guess my head was more of a mess when we met than I was willing to let on."

Still is.