Ume: You are enough, Aster.

Aster: [quiet] Then why? Help me to understand, Ume. Because, believe me, I have tried. I’ve tried to make sense of it all and I just can’t. The only thing it has left me with is feeling bitter and jealous… and.. wishing that you loved me with even a fraction of the reckless abandon you love her.

Ume: I’m such an idiot. 

Aster: Excuse me?

Aster: Can ask you… Nevermind. Forget it.

Ume: What is it? You can ask me anything.

Aster: [deep breath] Is she worth it?

Ume: [flinches] I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking me.

Aster: This… whole mess. Risking your career… losing us… was Altair worth it?

Ume: I-uh…

Aster: I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that. I just have been wracking my brain to why you would go through all of this trouble… why you would put so much on the line… She must be pretty amazing, right? She has to be. Otherwise… why wasn’t I enough?

Aster: Move on, Ume. Valerian Nova is behind bars. Take the win and walk away.

Ume: So… what is this deal then?

Aster: We’re offering him a job.

Ume: A what?!

Aster: If he really was who you are accusing him of being, that means he has connections that can be taken advantage of. They’re going to take him on as a consultant for the International Protection Services.

Ume: That’s insane!

Aster: There’s not. You’ve fudged up so bad that this deal we’re cutting him is nothing more than a desperate attempt to get something from all of this mess.

Ume: I can–

Aster: Stop. You’ve got to know when to throw in the towel. Nothing good can come out of pursuing this any further.

Ume: What am I supposed to do then?