Klaus' state filled briefly with the sort of sorrow that accompanied loss, though it lacked the precise sharpness of death and was more a sense of soft sadness that came with missing someone or something. It didn't last long.

"There's nothing to forgive," she replied, deciding to allow the change of subject, "I enjoy them, but not in a deep or loving way. A close friend loved them dearly though."

Perhaps if she were better at caring for living things like plants, it would be different. Meira might have loved flowers, but Valdis might never know for sure. That person was too far gone.