"...it's a cruel way to treat anyone, not just someone you fight beside in battle," Arf said after a moment. "There are things people can control about themselves and things they cannot. Treating someone differently because of something they can't change and had no choice over to begin with is never okay. Even more so when they care about you."

She brought a hand up to rub along her jaw and her voice quieted as she continued. "And it did hurt. You made me feel like I was something dirty. That said, thank you very much for the apology. I needed to hear it, and I accept it."