I never wanted to distance myself.

[Finally, he looks at ease, no matter how forelorn.]

I love my friends, and I love this place ... as awful as people think it is. I love the smell of the ocean, and what it looks like as the sun sets. I love the food here, and I love ... many things that this time and this body have given me.

Perhaps it was easier when I was just a Shadow, and just the Appriser. But even in exchange for this grief, I would never have it any other way.