"...sort of. They all stuck, or there wouldn't have been an effect. They all tempted me to be out there. One was really bad just now," she said, shrugging, looking right at Eleanor right then. She swallowed and closed her eyes.

"Two years ... is a very long time to be away from someone, Eleanor. And the other girl? She felt very real things for this Kirika. I remember those feelings. The other two?" A cough. "Sorry... if I name them, I don't really get to take those names back, do I? So, thank you for not prying."

Because not being able to take it back was definitely the problem right this instant.