[ Maruki laughs at that as well, soft and gentle, then considers it for a moment before speaking. ]

If I may...

[ He reaches across the little tabletop, rests a hand over one of Dolph's. ]

You've both come so far since I first met you. Even if you had been able to understand each other earlier, I think... it's for the best that it happened now. As the people that you both are now.

[ For a moment, it sounds like more might come, but Maruki decides he's satisfied with that and nods, squeezes his fingers over Dolph's. ]

But that's beside the point – what did you say?