[Alice is no stranger to guilt when it comes to how her life has developed here, but it comes from a different place. As far as she's aware, her role in their world has come to its end--there's nothing preventing her from staying in Geargadas indefinitely until she's called home and to heaven. For her, it's the depth and breadth of the relationships she's formed here pressing up against notions of what she's always believed love should look like that makes her feel uncomfortable with herself.

They'll have to discuss it, but first she wants to enjoy this moment and the warmth in her chest from hearing Karin reciprocate her feelings, even if it comes with a bit of uncertain sadness.]

I can't begin to understand how you feel, but this doesn't change anything about who I know you are. You're strong and beautiful, and your heart is large and loyal. I'm so lucky that I get to see your smile every morning, when you let yourself truly relax. What kind of terrible person would I be to recoil from that because your future is more complicated than I first knew? Neither of our lives have happened the way we had intended.

You owe it to yourself to be happy, and to choose and love as you please while you're in this world. And I'm honored, to be here with you.

[She pauses, searching her bondmate's face.]

Would... it be all right if I kissed you?

[The moment feels right, but she doesn't want to push anything--especially after what happened in the Cwyldheart. It's better to make sure Karin's okay with things before acting.]