I'm gonna guard what's left of the good in us

Truly it didn't matter if it took a whole lifetime to reach the top of the peak, so long as she had Ophie at her side. Normally she wouldn't like being slowed down but she knew Ophie was doing her best and really that was all that mattered to her. Kaija had never really viewed Ophie the way her family did - her closest friend was plenty capable and could do whatever she set her mind to. There was nothing else to it, as far as she was concerned.

"Yeah?" Though she wouldn't read too much into the approval she was mighty pleased with a compliment, and it was good one at that. The north really did feel like home, much more than the west ever had. Here, she felt free. "What about you, though? Are you happier here, you think?" Ophie deserved to be as happy as Kaija, and she wondered for a moment if she knew just how badly she wished that for her friend. They continued the climb, closer now but still a good distance from where she wanted them to end up.