"About as much good as I am alive," Alastair murmured. "Sometimes, it really feels that way. Especially when I keep losing the people who matter to me and can't do a damn thing about it."

Another long silence stretched between them, though this time it wouldn't go on forever. Alastair was beginning to find the courage to speak, though he still stared mostly at his hands in his lap. "Saitou's right, you know. We can't keep doing this forever." He paused again...maybe this was harder than he thought. "...it's torture. I want things to be like they were before. I want to be able to just...talk to you."