Ben nodded in return. "I agree, that proving ourselves will take work on all sides, more than just talking. However..." he paused, considered how to say what he wanted to say. "Growing up, my mother always taught me that one of the bravest things a person could ever do is to admit that they had been wrong. And to really examine their own faults and failings. And my father would always point out that courage wasn't the absence of fear. It is doing what you think is right, despite that fear. Wanting to live... that isn't cowardice, it is natural instinct kicking in at the last moment. Hopefully you can learn to hone those reflexes while you're here without waiting for consequences to be so dire first."

"Besides," Mal added, "I've met a whole lot of people who died and then found themselves alive on this Isle without quite knowing why. You're one of the very few who has even claimed to want to consider changing." She shrugged. Mother Gothel and the headmaster both died before waking up on the Isle. you probably won't be able to drag much of use out of Mother Gothel about her death, but the headmaster...Doc F might be willing to talk about it for the right bribe. And he at least claims he's willing to be good to get off this rock."