[Arden looks and sounds wretched, but his own concerns are more spiritual than physical. There is only so much physical comfort Zenyatta know his orbs can offer to a troubled heart, much less an unreceptive one. Too much more of this and he knows the boy could rip himself apart.

The worst of it is that his feelings are so natural, so raw and understandable. The greatest challenge of all, he knows, is also the greatest affront: the acceptance the apology that is never offered.]

He has mistreated you most terribly, my friend. [The orb at Arden's shoulder hums in melodic sympathy, ringing as if to punctuate his words.] I could not expect you to forgive him so quickly, not least of all while he is unrepentent. But...

[But Arden knows what Zenyatta is going to say.]

But everyone deserves the opportunity to change, no matter how appalling their crime. [He raises a hand to place on Arden's borrowed shoulder, half-suspecting that it will phase straight through his body as if through a cloud.] I- we- will not allow him to do harm to others as he has done to you. But justice is defined entirely by the hand that claims it; we do not seek to punish, but to prevent, and to lead by example.

[And, warmly, with as much affection as he can muster, he adds:] You have been nothing if not a wonderful example, my student.