>>18694978>"Woulda gone differently if you'd been there, for sure. But you can't be everywhere at once. It's not your fault."Carmody shifts in place.
>"I wasn't ready for her. I figured Sola needed a little time alone, but I shouldn't've wandered off like that, knowing I'd made somebody like Nika my enemy. Or at least I could've been ready."Carmody tries to sit up experimentally, and again it's a no-go.
>"I hate to think this way, but it might take me a few days to kick outta this. But when I do, I'm gonna focus on making sure that I GET ready, the next time she wants some. And until I do, I probably should try not to get caught out alone like this.">"I don't think I'm ready to take on someone like her, to be honest. Not on these terms at least. And it could take me a lot of work to get there."She manages to lift her head, at least. Thick waves of pain roll through her neck from the effort, but she's looking Ash in the eyes now.
>"I hear you've been helping some of the girls train. Sola, and Paule, maybe others. When I get back on my feet, if you've got time for one more..... maybe I can come see you at the Dojo?"