[ it sounds like she hasn't lost all sense of optimism, since she seems more willing to believe that than he is, even if she doesn't specify on who that some is. ]

Obviously we're pawns. That was never in question.

[ whether they'll get anything out of it is what needs asking, but he knows that ultimately these things likely don't give a shit about them. they protected him in his fight against cheri only because of the deal. whatever they want, they want it badly enough to use them however they can.

he stares at her for a longer pause, though, thinking about himself on that mission, what he'd chosen to do. ]

Of course it is. [ he answers quietly, like an exhaled breath. he was reckless then, throwing himself at cheri, urging her on. he took every chance he could, and it didn't matter. ] Doesn't matter if I die — lived too long, anyway. But it does fix it, if that's what it takes, then yeah. Maybe that's the price.