Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duncan uses Spirit Body Fire to examine Alice's "coffin," an extraordinary object.
• He experiences a vision of the past, witnessing the execution of the Frost Queen (who resembles Alice) half a century ago.
• Duncan hears fragments of conversations from the past, hinting at a conspiracy and the destruction of historical data.
• He returns to the present, finding Alice playing with her doll head.

Character Developments

• Duncan: He demonstrates refined control over his Spirit Body Fire, allowing him to probe extraordinary objects. He experiences a deep connection with the past and witnesses a significant historical event.
• Alice: She shows concern for her "coffin" but trusts Duncan's abilities. She remains playful and oblivious to the historical events unfolding.

Significant Themes

• The Illusory vs. the Real: The chapter explores the contrast between the illusory past and the real present, with Duncan's experience blurring the line between the two.
• History and Memory: The importance of history and the manipulation of memory are themes, as Duncan witnesses a piece of history and hears about its deliberate destruction.
• Trust and Power: Alice's trust in Duncan's power is a significant aspect, as she allows him to examine her coffin despite her nervousness.

Character Interactions

• Duncan and Alice: Their interaction is minimal in this chapter, with Alice mainly expressing her nervousness and trust in Duncan. Duncan, on the other hand, experiences a profound connection with Alice's past self without her knowledge.
• Duncan and the Past: Duncan interacts with the past through the vision he experiences, witnessing the Frost Queen's execution and hearing historical conversations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duncan sees echoes of the Frost Queen's execution in the "Puppet Coffin" (Anomaly 099), which reveals that the queen was accused of trying to bring the Lost Homeland into the real world and had an "Abyssal Plan."
• Duncan establishes a connection with the coffin using his Spirit Body Fire, stabilizing it and making it compliant like other items on the Lost Homeland.
• Alice, the doll, seems unaffected by the changes, but her wooden box now responds only to Duncan's commands.

Character Developments

• Duncan: Becomes more accepting and patient with Alice's eccentric behavior. He envies her optimism and tries to understand her better.
• Alice: Remains oblivious to the seriousness of the situation but is concerned about her wooden box's well-being. She feels a sense of security and lightness after the changes.

Significant Themes

• The theme of communication and understanding between different entities (Duncan and Alice, Duncan and the coffin) is explored.
• The power dynamics between Duncan, Alice, and the coffin are shifted, with Duncan now having control over the coffin.

Character Interactions

• Duncan and Alice: Duncan tries to explain the situation to Alice, showing patience and understanding. Alice, in turn, is more concerned about her wooden box's well-being than the implications of the changes.
• Duncan and the coffin: Duncan establishes a connection with the coffin, gaining control over it. The coffin now responds to Duncan's commands instead of Alice's.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Alice accepts her trunk's transformation into part of the Lost Homeland and shows little interest in the Frost Queen's past.
• Duncan decides not to reveal the echoes' details about the Frost Queen to Alice.
• Duncan finds a hairpin in his pocket, reminiscent of the original Captain Duncan.
• Duncan learns from Goat Head that the Lost Homeland had no connection with the Frosthold City-State, indicating the Frost Queen's charges were fabricated.
• Duncan shares his theory about Alice's connection to the Frost Queen with Goat Head.
• Vana, in the Pland City-State, receives a report of a new Anomaly or Phenomenon.

Character Developments

• Alice demonstrates remarkable composure and detachment from her past, focusing on her present life on the ship.
• Duncan shows restraint in not revealing sensitive information to Alice and maintains his calm demeanor while dealing with unexpected revelations.
• Goat Head displays a rare moment of surprise and laughter when learning about the Frost Queen's false charges.
• Vana shows dedication to her duties as an Inquisitor, handling paperwork with diligence and promptly responding to urgent matters.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of fabricated accusations and their ironic outcomes (Alice's connection to the Frost Queen and the Lost Homeland).
• The detachment from one's past and the focus on the present (Alice's acceptance of her transformation).
• The responsibility and dedication of those in positions of power (Duncan's and Vana's actions).

Character Interactions

• Alice and Duncan have a calm and understanding conversation about Alice's transformation and the Frost Queen.
• Duncan interacts with Goat Head, sharing his theory about Alice and seeking information about the Frost Queen.
• Vana interacts with her attendant, delegating tasks and responding to urgent matters together.
• Duncan and Goat Head have a brief moment of humor when Duncan leaves Ai Yi with Goat Head to deal with.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Evening Signal Bell rings three times, indicating unusual activity at the Nameless King's Tomb.
• Vana and Bishop Valentine are summoned to the Grand Cathedral.
• They use a psionic channel to reach a vast, interconnected psionic space, where they meet other saints.
• The Gravedigger of the Nameless King's Tomb appears and selects Vana to enter the tomb chamber.

Character Developments

• Vana demonstrates her piety and responsibility, quickly responding to the summons and accepting the task.
• Bishop Valentine shows his wisdom and experience, guiding Vana and expressing his embarrassment for being the last to arrive at the meeting.

Significant Themes

• The power and influence of the Church, with its advanced technology for communication and its role in maintaining order and knowledge.
• The reverence and fear inspired by the Nameless King and his tomb, reflecting the awe and mystery surrounding ancient, powerful beings.

Character Interactions

• Vana and Bishop Valentine display a respectful and familiar relationship, with Valentine guiding Vana and expressing his embarrassment in a fatherly manner.
• The saints from various city-states gather, showing unity and cooperation among the followers of the Goddess of Storms.
• The Gravedigger selects Vana, highlighting his authority and the importance of the task he assigns her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Vana, a Saint, enters the Tomb of the Nameless King (Anomaly 004) to act as a Listener, receiving information from its master.
• The tomb's master transmits information periodically, which is reliable but often fatal to mortals.
• Vana navigates the tomb, following warnings left by previous Listeners, and reaches the tomb chamber.
• She sees the Nameless King, a headless, bound body, and prepares to record the information.
• Vana collapses after exiting the tomb and finds her parchment torn with only a few numbers and letters: "Anomaly 099 - Doll."

Character Developments

• Vana demonstrates courage, caution, and dedication as she enters the tomb and follows its rules.
• The gravedigger, an ancient guardian, shows loyalty to his duty and monitors Vana's actions.

Significant Themes

• The dangers and rewards of seeking knowledge and truth (represented by the tomb's information and the risks involved).
• The importance of heeding warnings and following rules (illustrated by the tomb's guidelines and the consequences of disobedience).

Character Interactions

• Vana interacts with the gravedigger, who guides and monitors her but does not engage in conversation.
• Vana is assisted by other Saints, including Bishop Valentine, after she collapses upon exiting the tomb.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Vana returns from the Tomb of the Nameless King with a parchment bearing the words "Anomaly 099 - Puppet," causing concern among the Saints.
• The Saints discuss the implications of the change from "Puppet Coffin" to "Puppet" and its connection to the Lost Homeland and the Ghost Captain.
• The Storm Pope Helena dismisses the assembly and reveals that the less content on the parchment, the more dangerous the information conveyed.
• Helena meets with Banster and Rune, leaders of the Death Cult and Truth Academy, respectively, to discuss the implications of the change in Anomaly 099's name and its potential connection to the Lost Homeland.

Character Developments

• Vana shows bravery and determination in facing the consequences of her mission, even when she can't remember what happened in the tomb chamber.
• Helena demonstrates her wisdom, experience, and leadership by comforting Vana and acknowledging the value of her mission, despite the incomplete information.
• Banster and Rune reveal their knowledge of past events involving the Lost Homeland and Anomalies, showing their experience and insight.

Significant Themes

• The power and danger of Anomalies, and the importance of understanding and controlling them.
• The value of incomplete or hidden information, and the risks it poses to those who uncover it.
• The responsibility and burden of leadership, as seen through Helena's actions and decisions.

Character Interactions

• Vana and Bishop Valentine discuss the implications of the parchment's content and Vana's memory loss.
• The Saints discuss the change in Anomaly 099's name and its potential consequences.
• Helena, Banster, and Rune meet to discuss the situation and share their knowledge and concerns about the potential threat posed by the change in Anomaly 099's name.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Vana and Bishop Valentine return from the psychic gathering in Phenomenon 004, where they learned that Anomaly 099 has been renamed 'Doll' and its characteristics are unknown.
• They decide to issue a new notice to ocean captains about the change in Anomaly 099's name and its potential mutation.
• Vana questions the origin of the designations for anomalies and phenomena, and the identity of the beings in Phenomenon 004.

Character Developments

• Vana shows curiosity and tenacity in pursuing information, even when faced with the unknown and eerie.
• Bishop Valentine reveals his past experience with Phenomenon 004, showing that he's been keeping a peculiar piece of information to himself.

Significant Themes

• Uncertainty and the Unknown: The change in Anomaly 099's name and characteristics highlights the unpredictable nature of anomalies and the danger of the unknown.
• The Enigma of Phenomenon 004: The mysterious origin and purpose of Phenomenon 004, and the beings within it, are central to the chapter's intrigue.

Character Interactions

• Vana and Bishop Valentine work together to process the new information from Phenomenon 004, showing a collaborative and respectful dynamic.
• Heidi and Morris interact over a gift, revealing their playful and affectionate relationship, despite Heidi's frustration with her father's naivety in shopping.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Lost Homeland continues its journey on the Boundless Sea with no navigational markers.
• Duncan, the captain, focuses on a mysterious connection to Pland City-State's Grand Cathedral, which he feels through a green flame in a mirror and a brass compass.
• He enters a dark space filled with starlights, representing various entities, and observes a cluster of starlight connected to him but repelling his approach.
• Duncan realizes that the starlight belongs to Vana, an Inquisitor and Storm Saint, and speculates about the power of faith in this world.
• He ponders the origin of his connection to Vana and concludes it might have occurred when he possessed a sacrifice at a Sun sacrifice event in Pland City-State.

Character Developments

• Duncan demonstrates increased control and perception of his Spirit Body Fire, allowing him to sense life from certain starlights.
• Vana, the Inquisitor, is revealed to have a protective barrier around her starlight, likely due to her faith and divine grace.

Significant Themes

• The nature of life and death, and their representation in the dark space of starlights.
• The power of faith and divine grace, as demonstrated by Vana's protective barrier.
• The concept of "infection routes" and temporal-spatial connections, as illustrated by Duncan's connection to Vana.

Character Interactions

• Duncan interacts with the starlights in the dark space, observing and attempting to approach them, learning about their nature and his connection to Vana.
• Duncan's thoughts and speculations about Vana and their connection serve as an internal interaction, driving his curiosity and investigation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duncan understands why the Lost Homeland and its captain are feared and hated.
• He discovers that his flame has unique, dangerous characteristics, polluting and distorting supernatural items, and can possess the dead and hide in the living.
• Duncan establishes a connection with Vana, an Inquisitor, using a "mirror" and her speaking the name "Lost Homeland" near a flame.
• He finds out that the Sun Mask he possesses is iron plated with copper, not a genuine holy relic.
• When Duncan analyzes the mask using his green flame, he encounters an illusion of a scorching sun with a decaying eye and tentacles, and hears a voice begging for extinction.

Character Developments

• Duncan's understanding of his flame's power and its potential danger grows.
• Vana, though not physically present, becomes a significant connection for Duncan.
• The Sun Mask is revealed to be a mass-produced item, not a genuine holy relic.

Significant Themes

• The power and danger of fire, both literal and metaphorical.
• The deception and truth behind holy relics and their creators.
• The potential for connection and communication between individuals, even across vast distances.

Character Interactions

• Duncan interacts with Vana indirectly through the established connection.
• Duncan and the pigeon Ai Yi have a brief exchange, with Ai Yi questioning the authenticity of Duncan's goods.
• Duncan's interaction with the Sun Mask leads to the revelation of its true nature and the encounter with the illusory sun.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duncan experiences a sudden vision of a burning sun, which speaks to him, calling him "Flame Usurper" and pleading for help.
• He learns that the sun he saw is not the one he knows from Earth but a "Sun God" worshipped by a cult.
• The Sun God appears to be a burning corpse of an ancient entity, in a withered and decaying state.
• Duncan realizes that the Sun Mask he used to communicate with the Sun God is a fake and has a limited lifespan.

Character Developments

• Duncan: He becomes more curious about the secrets of the Sun Cult and the history before the Great Annihilation. He also grows more comfortable in his "Captain" identity with the Goat Head.
• The Goat Head: It shows a more subdued and cautious side when discussing the nature of the Sun God, suggesting it might have deeper knowledge or fears regarding the extraordinary.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between the Sun Cult's perception of their god and the reality of the Sun God's state.
• The exploration of the extraordinary and the unknown, which Duncan finds intriguing.
• The theme of deception and the true nature of things, as seen in the fake Sun Mask and the cult's misunderstanding of their god.

Character Interactions

• Duncan and the Goat Head: Their relationship evolves as Duncan grows more comfortable in his role, and the Goat Head shows a more reserved side when discussing sensitive topics.
• Duncan and the Sun God: Although one-sided, their interaction highlights the contrast between the god's perceived power and its actual state.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duncan reads about Bishop Valentine's upcoming blessing ceremony in the newspaper, which involves ringing church bells and blowing steam whistles to invoke the Goddess of Storms.
• He recalls the recent events revolving around the "factory leak" in the Sixth District eleven years ago, including the Sun Cultists' activities and the mysterious girl "Shirley" investigating the truth.
• Duncan decides to investigate the Sixth District and coincidentally encounters Shirley on a bus headed there.

Character Developments

• Duncan: Shows keen observational skills and intuition, demonstrating his determination to protect Nina and investigate the truth behind the recent events.
• Shirley: Reveals her fear of Duncan, suggesting she knows about his capabilities and is likely hiding something significant.

Significant Themes

• Coincidence: The chapter's title and Shirley's unexpected appearance on the same bus as Duncan highlight the theme of coincidence, which could be a driving force behind the plot's progression.
• Investigation and Truth-Seeking: Duncan's decision to visit the Sixth District and his encounter with Shirley emphasize the theme of uncovering hidden truths and secrets.

Character Interactions

• Duncan and Shirley: Their brief interaction on the bus reveals Shirley's fear of Duncan, hinting at a power dynamic or secret she's aware of. Duncan's curiosity is piqued, setting the stage for potential future interactions.
• Duncan and Nina: Duncan's concern for Nina's safety and well-being is evident as he reminds her to be careful on her way to school. Their bond as uncle and niece is strengthened through these small moments.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duncan and Shirley meet on a crowded bus during rush hour.
• Duncan notices Shirley's fear and tries to reassure her.
• They get off at the Sixth District, where Shirley lives, and discuss the factory leak incident from eleven years ago.
• Duncan lectures Shirley about not evading bus fares.

Character Developments

• Shirley: She is revealed to be afraid of Duncan due to A'gou's description of the entity within him. She tries to appear well-behaved but is not convincing. She shows curiosity and courage when she learns Duncan is also investigating the past incident.
• Duncan: He shows understanding and patience towards Shirley's fear and tries to reassure her. He displays curiosity about the past incident and lectures Shirley about not evading fares, indicating a sense of responsibility and morality.

Significant Themes

• Fear and misunderstanding: Shirley's fear of Duncan is based on A'gou's interpretation of the entity within him, leading to a misunderstanding of his true nature.
• Responsibility and morality: Duncan's lecture to Shirley about not evading fares highlights his sense of responsibility and morality, challenging the stereotypical image of evil gods.

Character Interactions

• Duncan and Shirley: Their interaction is initially tense due to Shirley's fear, but it evolves into a curious and almost friendly exchange as they share a common goal of investigating the past incident. Duncan's lecture to Shirley about not evading fares shows a protective and responsible side of his character.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirley and Duncan enter the Sixth District, a dilapidated area with an oppressive atmosphere.
• Shirley reveals she's investigating her parents' disappearance, which occurred eleven years ago in an 'accident' at a nearby factory.
• An elderly resident reveals that no children have been born in the district for the past eleven years, attributing it to pollution from the abandoned factory.

Character Developments

• Shirley: Shows resilience and determination in her search for her parents' fate. She's also evasive about her past with A'gou.
• Duncan: Demonstrates curiosity and empathy towards the district's residents, showing a softer side despite his powerful nature.
• A'gou: Its fear is palpable, influencing Shirley's emotions through their symbiotic bond.

Significant Themes

• The impact of industrial pollution on communities and the environment.
• The passage of time and its effects on society and individuals.
• The search for truth and personal history.

Character Interactions

• Shirley and Duncan: They work together, with Duncan showing understanding and patience towards Shirley's evasiveness.
• Shirley and the Elder: Shirley tries to gather information about the district, but the elder is initially irritable and dismissive.
• Duncan and the Elder: Duncan initiates a conversation with the elder, showing respect and gratitude.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirley and Duncan approach an abandoned factory from eleven years ago, where a major accident occurred.
• The factory is located near residential areas, highlighting the city's need for space and the inseparability of factories from modern civilization.
• Duncan notices oddities in the factory's condition and lack of safety measures.
• A'gou, Shirley's Abyssal Hound, senses a fleeting image of a great fire coming from the factory.
• Shirley reacts strongly to the mention of the 'great fire,' hinting at her personal connection to it.

Character Developments

• Shirley: Shows determination and excitement when A'gou mentions the 'great fire,' suggesting it holds significant personal importance.
• Duncan: Demonstrates keen observation skills and deductive reasoning, connecting Shirley's reaction to his own search for the 'great fire.'

Significant Themes

• The dual nature of progress: Factories, while essential for modern civilization, also pose risks and environmental hazards.
• The importance of truth and memory: Shirley's personal experience with the 'great fire' contrasts with the official records, raising questions about the truth and how it's remembered.

Character Interactions

• Shirley and Duncan: Their interaction reveals their shared interest in finding the 'great fire,' fostering a sense of camaraderie.
• Shirley and A'gou: The Abyssal Hound's sensing of the 'great fire' excites Shirley, showing their close bond and mutual understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duncan, Shirley, and A'gou investigate an abandoned factory where a great fire occurred eleven years ago, but all traces of the fire have vanished.
• Duncan and A'gou witness brief, hallucinatory visions of a raging fire in the factory's ruins.
• Duncan uses his Spirit Body Fire to reveal brief, humanoid ashes on the ground, suggesting a human was burned there.

Character Developments

• Duncan reveals he knows about the great fire and is curious about the erased traces.
• Shirley learns Duncan is aware of the fire and that he possesses supernatural powers.
• A'gou shows fear and caution around Duncan's powers.

Significant Themes

• The power of memory and its manipulation.
• The influence of supernatural forces on reality.
• The consequences of erasing history.

Character Interactions

• Duncan, Shirley, and A'gou work together to investigate the factory, each contributing unique insights.
• Duncan and Shirley share their knowledge about the fire, forming a tentative alliance.
• A'gou is wary of Duncan's powers but cooperates with him for mutual benefit.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirley and Duncan discover an emerald Spirit Body Fire that reveals the true state of the factory, showing signs of a great fire that had been erased.
• They find no traces of supernatural power or items in the factory, only a "curtain" concealing the fire's traces.
• Duncan confirms the factory is not the location of the fire in his memory, and they find no source of the curtain within the factory.

Character Developments

• Shirley becomes more open and comfortable around Duncan after their shared experience.
• Duncan shows curiosity about Shirley and A'gou's secrets but doesn't press the issue.
• A'gou reveals its extensive knowledge about supernatural phenomena, despite not being able to read.

Significant Themes

• The power of truth and revelation (the Spirit Body Fire lifting the curtain).
• The nature of reality and its manipulation (the curtain concealing the fire's traces).
• The search for truth and answers (Shirley's eleven-year quest for the great fire).

Character Interactions

• Shirley and Duncan work together to explore the factory, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
• Shirley and A'gou's dynamic shows their close bond and mutual understanding.
• Duncan leaves a mark on A'gou's chain, indicating his interest in keeping tabs on Shirley and A'gou.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duncan leaves the Sixth District, reflecting on the truth hidden by an "invisible curtain" for eleven years.
• Shirley and A'gou escape from the Sixth District, discussing their encounter with Duncan.
• Vana has lunch with her uncle Dante, discussing her marriage prospects and his prosthetic eye.

Character Developments

• Duncan becomes more aware of the extraordinary truth hidden in the Sixth District.
• Shirley shows determination to continue her investigation despite the dangers.
• Vana struggles with her oath to only marry someone strong enough to fight by her side.

Significant Themes

• The truth hidden beneath reality.
• The consequences of curiosity and investigation.
• The struggle between personal desires and oaths or duties.

Character Interactions

• Duncan reflects on the Sixth District's history alone.
• Shirley and A'gou discuss their escape and the implications of meeting Duncan.
• Vana and Dante discuss her marriage prospects and Dante's prosthetic eye.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heidi, a young psychiatrist, visits the Maritime Museum in the Crossroads District for a day off from work.
• The museum, once a prosperous warehouse, is said to be haunted by the Pal Brothers' shadows and cursed by a sea fog incident from 1822.
• Heidi smells a strange burning odor inside the museum and later learns it's on fire.

Character Developments

• Heidi: Struggles with insomnia and nightmares due to her work with cultists. She's determined to enjoy her holiday despite the museum's spooky reputation.
• Duncan: Investigating the "Veil" and Sun Shards in the Sixth District. He sees the Maritime Museum on fire while taking a break.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural and its influence on the mundane world (the museum's haunted reputation).
• The struggle between the desire for normalcy and the reality of the extraordinary (Heidi's determination to enjoy her holiday despite the museum's legend).

Character Interactions

• Heidi interacts with the tour guide and other tourists outside the museum.
• Duncan observes the commotion on the street as people notice the museum fire.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A fire breaks out at the Maritime Museum near the Crossroads District, where Nina, Duncan's ward, is visiting.
• Duncan realizes he needs to reach the museum quickly and decides to use his Spirit Body Fire pigeon, Ai Yi, to transport him there.
• Ai Yi successfully carries Duncan to the museum, revealing its ability to transport living beings through space.
• Upon arrival, Duncan finds the museum engulfed in flames, with survivors describing terrifying scenes and supernatural occurrences.
• A group of Guardians, led by a Deep Sea Church priest, prepares to enter the museum to investigate and control the situation.

Character Developments

• Duncan demonstrates his calm and quick thinking under pressure, using Ai Yi to reach the museum quickly.
• Ai Yi shows its intelligence and understanding of Duncan's intentions, as well as its ability to transport living beings.
• The Deep Sea Church priest exhibits leadership and bravery, deciding to enter the museum despite the danger.

Significant Themes

• The power of quick thinking and adaptability in crisis situations.
• The relationship between humans and supernatural entities, with the museum's fire potentially caused by an unclean entity.
• The importance of leadership and courage in the face of danger.

Character Interactions

• Duncan and Ai Yi: Duncan uses Ai Yi to reach the museum, showing trust in the pigeon's abilities. Ai Yi understands Duncan's intentions and successfully transports him.
• Duncan and the Deep Sea Church priest: Although they don't interact directly, Duncan observes the priest's leadership and bravery, which influences his decision to enter the museum.
• The survivors and the Guardians: The survivors describe terrifying scenes to the Guardians, who then prepare to enter the museum to investigate and control the situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Deep Sea Church's Storm Followers and firefighters quickly respond to the supernatural force in the museum, demonstrating the city-state's efficiency in handling disasters.
• Duncan senses a familiar aura from within the museum and enters, using his control over flames to navigate the burning building.
• Duncan locates Shirley, who is trapped in a water room with Nina and an unconscious woman, using a "mark" he left on Shirley earlier.

Character Developments

• Duncan shows pragmatism and decisiveness, choosing to bypass official personnel to enter the museum and using his abilities to safely navigate the flames.
• Shirley is revealed to be brave but scared, trying to hide her fear from Nina. She considers a potentially dangerous escape plan but decides to wait.

Significant Themes

• The city-state's efficient response to supernatural disasters, highlighting their collective endurance and preparedness.
• The contrast between Shirley's brave exterior and her inner fear, showing the complexity of human emotions in crisis situations.

Character Interactions

• Duncan and the magistrate: Duncan acknowledges the professional's warning but decides to enter the museum anyway, showing his determination and pragmatism.
• Shirley and Nina: Shirley tries to comfort Nina, revealing her own fear and considering a potentially dangerous escape plan with Nina. Their interaction shows a growing bond between the two.