"It's not myself I'm keeping a leash on," Valdis replied, "If it were, it'd be easier."

At least she had people to help balance it, and someone who was capable of destroying it if it came to that. Hopefully it never would, she didn't really want to put anyone she cared about through that.

"I'm sure you will eventually," she said, noting how Enki suddenly seemed downtrodden, "Being here can be both a gift and a curse, but there are people who are willing to stand by you through anything."

She had firsthand experience with that.