At first she didn’t really understand what Nocturnus meant. Surely even if it was far, they could still travel there. Maybe it’d take a few days, a few weeks… but they would get there eventually, right?

But then she continued, and Andromeda’s heart sank. Not even Sailor Pluto, the guardian of time and space?

She could see the devastation on the child’s face as realization dawned that Nocturnus must have tried numerous times and everything she could think of. Suddenly Andromeda felt guilty for asking, and she wrapped her arms around the smaller soldier, wishing so much she could convey even a fraction of the love of her mother that she must be missing so much.

“I’m sorry, Nocturnus. That was a stupid question. I didn’t want to make you feel bad… I just really want you to be able to go home, too. This is unfair and I don’t know why it is the way it is, but someday… someday we will find a way. We’ll never stop looking for a way to get you back home, okay? I’ll help you any way I can… even if I don’t know how yet. I promise.”

She meant every word, her heart breaking for Nocturnus’ loss, and there was nothing more she wanted but to give this child the happiness she deserved.

“In the meantime, you’ll always have a home with us.”

The child all but melted into Andromeda's arms, feeling only comfort and calm from the young woman's embrace. She blinked back the tears that had threatened to spill out. This wasn't how she wanted to think about this. She wanted to be strong. Nocturnus wanted to prove that she could be strong and brave, for Mother. The awesome queen was out there, somewhere, watching over her. That much she knew, particularly given what had just happened.

"It's okay," she mumbled in reply, her face somewhat muffled by Andromeda's sailor collar. "It's not your fault. Maybe I'm not supposed to go home yet. Maybe when it's time for me to go home, I'll find it. Until then, I just have to get stronger."

I have to be ready to fight Sarastro.

If the monster that had been encountered here was any indication, Sarastro was still searching for her. He was watching, with all of his many eyes—all the eyes of those who had pledged their devotion to his terrible cause. Sailor Nocturnus had to make sure they couldn't find her. Mother had sent her away to keep her safe; he was looking for her so he could harm and use her. He couldn't be allowed to win.

"So... now that the monster is gone..." she began, hoping to put their attention on something less awful. "Could you keep showing me your planet?"