"That's not—! Duster..." Tear took a step toward the man, expression bordering on imploring as she sought a way to reassure him that whether she trusted him or not had nothing to do with it. True, they didn't know one another very well, but every time she had found herself fighting alongside Duster he had proven himself a steadfast ally. So he at least had that.

No, it had everything to do with her own hesitation to be truly open to others...just as her other self was saying, now looking notably disappointed.

"Just as expected..."

Before Tear could word a response, Jade's voice cuts through and freezes her in place. Turning her gaze to look at him, it then turned downward in an attempt to hide her shame as she nodded mutely.

"You say that, and we want to believe. In the end, it's the same... Left behind, all alone and kept in the dark. Isn't that so?"

"That's..." Feeling as if she were just going to repeat the same words over and over, Tear let out a sigh instead. Best to let her speak, as Jade had instructed.