All I Ever Was

Talyssa felt her heart sink at Quill's words, a mix of emotions swirling within her. She was happy for him, truly. The idea of Quill finding a place to call home, a sense of belonging, warmed her heart. Yet, she couldn't ignore the pang of sadness that accompanied the realization that their paths were diverging. "A home," she echoed softly, her gaze drifting to the snow-covered landscape beyond. "That's... that's wonderful, Quill.” She paused, finding that mismatched gaze of his one more time. “My father is a good man. The Hallows would be lucky to have you." She managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Talyssa took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she knew she had to say. "But you're right. I'm not... I'm not done.” Talyssa's voice trailed off as she looked out across the frozen landscape of God's Garden. The herbs and flowers lay dormant under a blanket of snow, waiting for spring's awakening. She felt a similar dormancy within herself - a restlessness, a need to grow that could not be satisfied by staying in one place. "So I guess ... I guess this is goodbye."

The words hung heavy in the air between them, laden with unspoken emotions and shared memories. Talyssa felt a lump form in her throat, but she swallowed it down, determined to face this moment with grace and honesty. "I care for you deeply, Quill," she continued, her voice soft but steady. "And I'm grateful for everything we've shared … just take care of yourself, okay?” She finished, offering him a half-sided grin that masked the storm of emotions roiling inside her, a brave attempt to remain steadfast even as the ground beneath her felt unsteady.

"Talyssa Carpathius"