( Oh. Hugs. Hugs are nice, as resistent as Ellie can sometimes be. This is Fi, Fi who had somehow turned into a human security blanket, who was just about the only girl friend she'd had left before she got here. Talk about going from one extreme to the other... but that wasn't the point. Ellie hugs her back, tight, and she doesn't consider letting go.

She almost laughs, but it's a sort of sad little sound. ) It's intense, Fi. I reckon you're gonna want to sit down for some of this. ( But, no, she's still getting comfort from the fact that Fi is here, real and solid. ) You're gonna think some of this is totally crazy, but you have to trust me. Okay?

( Deep breath. ) We're a long way from home, and the others aren't here.

( Phase one: initiated. )