"Of course we are," Raine said, gently. "That's life. Even elves were not meant to be immortal. Life, without death, loses something of its meaning. My work may be to fight it off a little longer for those I love, but that doesn't mean I deny it."

Pacing again, until Raine noticed she was doing it and firmly stopped herself, leaning against the wall next to the door again instead. The strange restlessness that had settled in her despite her exhaustion of late would not control her. "Perhaps that is where I fail to understand you," she said, now a little thoughtful. "There were immortals in my world, as well. The death of others had long since stopped to mean much to them. I am young, relatively speaking; I know I will watch most of my friends grow old and die before my second century is out, but the reality of the situation is not one I've been faced with yet."

But Valdis did present an understanding of death, and the effects it had on others... hmm. No, she still didn't make complete sense. Frustrating. Raine shook her head again. "However, you're missing my point. Frankly, I'm unsure if I can even get it through to you given the disparity in our worldviews, though..." Lloyd would try. Therefore, so would she, no matter how much she just wanted to turn around and not be having this conversation. "Never mind. What I'm trying to say is that you need to remember that you are not alone any more. Your friends want to help you, and you have been doing both them and yourself a disservice."