[ He'd wondered a bit, in the beginning, if his arrival here meant that he'd somehow cheated death for a little while longer — and in a sense, of course he has — but the way home is barred to any and all. He doesn't dare hope that if he goes back somewhere, it will be back to where he's left off.

Still, it's one thing guessing as much, and another thing hearing it.

The crystals are gone, and Midadol is safe; well enough to finish the project they started together. They've done it, Jill and Clive, and everyone else who'd been willing to believe it could happen. Mid will come into her own in a world without Mothercrystals, and Cid has no doubt that she'll shape it for the better... And that it will be a long and terrible climb. That he won't be there for her through it all is something he's always known.

Cid takes a swallow from his wine without tasting it. He doesn't like to think that he's easy to read, but Jill is canny enough to guess where his head is. One of her worst traits, really.

He can't pretend wasn't isn't hanging onto every word about the Enterprise, but he's nowhere near ready to face all of that head-on in her presence. ]

I'm sure there's plenty of hardship to come yet, but you've left the world in good hands for the moment, I'd wager. [ He raises his goblet to tap it against Jill's. ] You should be proud of yourselves. Can't imagine it didn't come at a cost.