fall, only to rise higher still

She was punished for waiting to cure the sickness? That did not sound like a selfish endeavour and yet from the sounds of it her attempt at striking a deal had gone south, rotting her eye from within till it was dark and lifeless. Hattori noticed the swell of emotions, how her breaths became a little shuddery as though she was teetering closer to tears. It was true he was not one for showing weakness, but in this instance he supposed her response was reasonable enough, she'd lost the vision in one eye. That was an upsetting change if he'd ever known of one.

"It has been quite unpleasant, yes." And he was putting it lightly. "But the worst appears to be over."