Maturity
Rocky ran his fingers through his hair, as he tried to process Riva's proposal.
The idea of having her join his team while not a bad one, made him feel slightly uneasy in his heart.
He knew how strong she once was, being hailed as a rising star and someone who could stand among the best.
But her recent struggles had left her fragile, both physically and emotionally.
And while Rocky could see that she was starting to regain her glow, he wasn't convinced she was ready for the brutal challenges that a climber had to face on a daily basis.
He glanced at Riva, who paced nervously by the dining room table awaiting his response.
She had clearly thought this through, and the determination to join his team was evident in her eyes. Still, Rocky couldn't shake his unease at the idea of dragging her into the dangerous world he lived in now.