The beach was a haven for Ender, too, and one he'd spent an inordinate amount of time on as of late. It wasn't that he was avoiding Ben, or his room; it was more that he had a lot of thoughts, and he needed some privacy to deal with them without being asked.

Thoughts of solitude went out the window when he saw the blonde shape up ahead, though.

He pursed his lips, gave it a moment's thought, and decided it was time to finally follow through on a promise.

"Tahiri?"