Ben’s hardly surprised; those words seem so meaningless now. And false, to boot.

He reaches out a hand for her again as she nears, places it on her shoulder, and steers her firmly towards the door, his arm around her.

He still doesn’t look at Ibani even on his way out - she’s doing her part by giving them this space.

As the door shuts behind them he continues on down the corridor, but adapts his pace to Ashara's, his presence serene.

“You were right to try,” he says.