(could she understand that? perhaps. there was still a familiar nightmare that hung around her just about, the children cheering gleefully as freedom was in their grasp and then....they all became geometric shapes. before her young eyes were children, friends that she once had who wished for nothing more than innocent freedom from what felt as if it were an oppressive atmosphere. all floating away as that ring dropped to the rain coated ground when madam z asked her if she wished to become timekeeper.

a position which she accepted in the end at the young age of twelve as she carried on, hoping, trying, really everything in her power to bring back someone from these storms. in the end, her last attempt worked with regulus. and yet, it also didn't work with schneider because of her humanity. a fact which also haunts her in the end to a degree comparable to that time in her formative years.

for that, with the feeling of schneider's hand on her arm she thinks briefly and....perhaps boldly, she did reach out to if allowed gently pull her close to a hug. she won't make her talk about it; the grief, the feelings, anything she didn't wish to in this moment or perhaps beyond that.

however, she did wish if only a little that this may help.)

I'm sorry.

(the words are soft, but they were of course not said from pity. what is within is understanding. to go from everything to losing it is not something she can speak on; the way their losses happened differs even if the root cause was the storm itself bringing about what almost felt as thought it were divine retribution for humanity and arcanist.

and maybe....there's still that part of her heart that stings about everything.)

If....you find you rather not be alone, whether it be you wish to see me or simply need some manner of reprieve, I won't mind you visiting. Or truthfully, if you find them distrustful, the Foundation that is, you're free to stay here as well.

(they likely might assign schneider the room near hers, anyway, this might help more.)