[ Phos is precisely the reason Rutile is doing this, though they will never admit that out loud. They'd expected the mindfulness advice - they hadn't spent their younger years listening to Padparadscha's counsel for nothing. Still, Padparadscha's comment about pride hits a little close to home, and their reply is curt. ]

I am mindful, when I have the luxury of it. One doesn't spend centuries rounding on warriors without learning what comes of carelessness.

[ What comes of carelessness... Much of what Rutile remembers is a dark night with a full moon, horror filling their being, burning with rage as they realize what's happened. Their tools in their fingers, their vision scored with cracks from shattering. Phos had gotten away with it because of Rutile's hesitation. Rutile would not hesitate again. ]

This isn't about pride. It's about discovery. About finding out where those sailors have been, and what happened to them, and how to keep it from happening again. And it may be about finding a way home.