"No."

Ellie says it softly, the word sighing out of her, like it had been behind her teeth for years. Clenched tight, kept back. No. It wasn't worth it.

None of it was worth it.

Ellie doesn't cry -- doesn't let her voice break or tremble. It just has the heaviness of things lost, a lesson learned in the worst of ways. A consequence earned, and accepted.

Astarion's shoulder is warm, and feels steady, and that's all the comfort she'll let herself take.