You know I love your writing! :D This point of view of Auron's is very telling, especially about his inner feelings and resistance towards realizing so much that has gone on recently for both of them. A real poignant part was definitely how he knew how close he could come to becoming like Ginnem and the others but still held on to something that kept him as he is. One starts to feel bad for Auron because he's never gotten a break really in life... it seems he always does things for everyone but never quite for himself. Until now. :)