"It's not about having the right words or the right face. It is about accepting no one will ever be able to be for you what Horanckk was.. nor should they be. If you can't accept that -- that friends aren't there for your convenience alone, that disappearing or dying or growing apart from you doesn't mean that they had no value in the first place -- then perhaps you're right."

Zouichi has had this argument with Anwei before, and he remembers now why he rarely speaks with her any more, rarely tries to convince her or suggest that she get help. It is always about Anwei, was always about Anwei. And when presented with the choice to live or die, she chose nothing at all. Nothing save waiting for the decision to be made for her.

He bowed slightly, then left.