Kaine returned to the predator she'd abandoned seven months earlier.
Approached with apology prepared. With explanation ready. With expectation of anger, resentment, justified fury at being left mid-transformation. With readiness to accept whatever consequences abandonment had created.
The predator sensed her immediately. "You're back. You're... different. You feel different. You're restored. You're whole again. You were breaking when you left. You're healed when you return. You rested. You recovered. You restored. Good. I'm glad. I waited. I didn't transform elsewhere. I didn't seek other transformers. I waited for you. I'm ready. I'm still willing. I still want integration. I still want wholeness. I waited. You returned. Good. Shall we continue? Shall we finish what we started? Shall we complete transformation? I'm ready. Are you ready? Shall we continue?"
