When Brillin still didn’t relent, a frightened Astina threw her arms around her sister’s waist and clung to her, her voice trembling. “I understand, Brillin. I won’t do it again. Please don’t be mad.” Brillin’s heart ached at her sister’s dejection. She herself had raised Astina to be this way, so reliant and sheltered. Their circumstances had hardly been conducive to teaching her not to be hostile toward strangers; she understood her sister’s attitude completely. Brillin gently hugged Astina’s back, soothing her.