"Some of my beliefs remain the same." His eyes glance to the boy at his arm, Jade's own thumb coming up to spread some of the red-orange clay dust from the bridge of Rook's nose across the freckles sun-kissed across his face. The color suits him. His fingers linger. When did Rook get so close...? "Though some have changed."

As they both know he loves to be in nature, surrounded by its vastness. That he craves being allowed to replicate it and preserve it for everything that it is. Rook has seen him avoid stepping on bugs, replanting shoots of plants that animals or less careful trail-goers accidentally dug up, and simply existing there for as long as his limited free time will allow. He even went so far as to start his own club just for the chance to make more time for it (even if after all this time he is still the only member...). It's different, but it feels like home to be surrounded by such large, open spaces so brimming with life.

"There are benefits to both the land and sea. I believe I will miss it when I return home."