"We might have ended up like that," She sounds a bit wistful, "I really did love Nel. So much. But... she's gone."

There's a brittle, sad tone in her voice that she tries to chase away, "There's no use dwelling on it, is there? But - I still don't know who you are and she never mentioned a bonded to me while I knew her."

She draws closer on their next step, eyes gleaming, "Give me a hint. Or just say so - either will do."