Part 3

Heather was waiting inside when Svetlana finally made her way indoors from her discussion with Victoria, who didn't follow her immediately. Heather chose to talk to Svetlana in rusalki, at least at first.

"You spoke with the pervert." Heather said, shaking his head. "I wish she would leave."

"You have been most unkind to the dead, Prince." Svetlana replied, also in rusalki, gesturing outside. "Do not judge the dead, for they have already paid the ultimate price."

"Ugh, you're not one of those reformists are you?" Heather said, making a face.

"That ghost will remain for the rest of your life, Prince." Svetlana said firmly. "It's clear you don't like her, perhaps you never did."

"I did." Heather interrupted quite forcefully. "I... we all did." Heather continued, looking down.

"You learned a fact about a treasured comrade you wish you hadn't." Svetlana answered, breaking protocol and placing her hand on his shoulder. "She knows you can see her. Say something to her."

Heather glanced back up, and saw Victoria peaking through the wall, just her head visible, looking at Heather. She was crying, as usual, but Heather looked away again.

"You can't bear to look at her." Svetlana said, this time in Gilnan. "You're reminded of mistakes you made."

"We could have stopped it. We should have." Heather said, still speaking in rusalki, holding back tears. "Rebecca set her on a path of ruin." Heather finished, this time in Gilnan.

"No." Victoria said, floating up to Heather. "She gave me enough rope to hang myself, and I made a wonderful noose."