The Elezen's comments were pragmatic, even fatalistic it was true... but Mikka found comfort in them regardless. There was something grounding about the idea of accepting that things would be difficult, but forging ahead regardless.

He smiled, both for that and for the way Zaika squirmed immediately to accept that morsel, nibbling daintily. "I rather like your plan, to be honest."

And it was no lie, both from the general idea that he wouldn't like to hear of anyone dying, for all he knew it would happen, as well as the fact that he was coming to like Gustavain as well. "I suppose that means I'd best plan to make it through too, or I'll never hear the end of it."