"There is nothing for which you need to thank me, Moana," Ned replies, voice continually soft and soothing. He lets a small smile creeps its way along his lips as he adds, "Though hearing it is appreciated all the same. I don't mean to sound ungrateful."

For as different as their worlds might be, there are certain similarities that he cannot ignore that seem to stretch across universes, across planets and lands, in the hearts of man and woman alike: confusion at one's purpose in life, the need for guidance from others, the constant search for and reliance upon something like hope to keep one going. So while Ned cannot fully understand all of what Moana struggles with, he can understand the utter humanity of her plight, and in that, she can never be alone. Not truly. Not with Ned and all of the other villagers around her.

"There," he coos, "That's the sort of thing I like to hear."