[ he's right. of course he is. she knows he's going to be, because it's almost exactly what she would say if their situations were switched. but more than that, she feels the way his body relaxes, a sign enough to her that they're alone.

the rest of what she'd been holding together collapses to the floor, and riza leans forward, pressing her hands to her face. she's exhausted, but more than that she's terrified, and she hates what she says next more than anything, but because it's shiro, she can say it. ]

I should go down there, but I don't know if I can. Roy's still- [ missing, gone, probably dead. the words die in her throat as she sits there for a moment, her face still in her hands. then the moment passes, and riza takes a breath, sitting back up and watching as shiro closes his eyes.

of course he's thinking about hunk, his paladins. riza lets out the breath and nods. ] I'll stay up here. Act as a base for you to come back to. Hunk will be needed, especially if he's a healer. [ and then, as shiro gives her his smile, she returns one in kind. ] You don't ask that much of me, Shiro. We're here for the same reason. But- [ there are too many possibilities, too many chances, images, scenarios. she doesn't know if it'll help anyone for her to go down there and then get caught up in who knows what just to look for him.

not when she can be of help up here. ] I'll stay here. Make sure there's somewhere set up for the retrieval team.