the original version just didn't hit right! it's not like i'm against downer endings, but the emotional arcs were just... conspicuously absent throughout. and above all else, it didn't feel like a fitting conclusion for everyone. i didn't really want to give char everything he wanted (again). i do love him, but i was spoiling him too much.

in the ending i went with instead, i like to think that char never actually manages to put his life back together with katarina, and only grows increasingly bitter and hateful about it... maybe even towards her! he'd certainly never blame himself for anything.

that's just one way things could go, at least. i deliberately left it open-ended.