[A lot of things cross Ion's mind that he knows he shouldn't say. There's no place for these thoughts here...they'd serve no purpose aside from further confusion. But being of use and being used...they're two very different things. It breaks Ion's heart.]

Back home...I spent a long time wondering what it was about me that mattered at all. I had a position of power, but I felt like I was just a tool being used to further the agendas of other people stronger than me...agendas I didn't even agree with.

[He pauses.]

But then someone told me something that changed everything. She said that the most powerful thing about me was how I made people feel just by smiling at them. And you know...when you smile at me, I feel like I can do anything.