The shame... should have seen that coming; it was all about public shame with the Japanese, as opposed to guilt in western societies.  Elisabeth stood as she explained how they were going to - essentially - rape her to accomplish this, gritting her teeth behind her mask-like face, and hearing about her parents... sadly, she could see<em>why</em>they were like that.  She was chosen for her skills, and her genetics, and they were going to pair her with the best genetic specimens, most<em>talented</em>specimens they could find... what she was doing reflected well on the family, and would greatly help Japan via MCT.  She saw that, and yet she knew it was disgusting and total bullshit, at least in her opinion.<br/><br/>What she did though was walk right up to the woman, slide into her seat with her, and pull her into a comforting embrace, nude body to nude body, warmth to warmth.  She held her close, affectionately... perhaps even motherly somehow, stroking the back of her head, letting the woman relax into her and let out whatever it was she was keeping pent up.  Crying, anger, fear... she could cry, punch her, or cower as she wished; she'd help her let it out.<br/><br/>No words though; they weren't needed, Elisabeth felt.  From experience with her mom's death, and later when her entire Ph. D was erased without a trace, she really had just wanted someone to hold her close and comfort her... she hadn't had anybody, but she could certainly give this young woman what she'd missed.