二十三 ; èr shí sān

[getsomesleep]

[Several drops of ink appear on the paper before Huo finally gets to writing - he's hesitating a great deal. His script, too, is slow and cautious.]

While I do not wish to associate myself with anonymous writers of dubious origins, [another long pause, another ink drop] if searchers are currently creating some effect that they are unaware of

[His pen lingers here, and lingers, until finally with a dash of ink, he erases the previous sentence and quickly scribbles something else:]

You are not free of a prison if its roof falls down on your head.

Comments

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

Some of us, to be sure.

[kisameisafish.livejournal.com]

Those who don't will die either way.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

In good time; why rush so toward what will come anyway?

[kisameisafish.livejournal.com]

It's not my business to be responsible for others, Huo-san.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

It is not others that I inquire as for.

[kisameisafish.livejournal.com]

It's not death you should be afraid of, Huo-san. It's how you choose to die.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

Saying that I have a choice implies that I should choose as pleases me.

[kisameisafish.livejournal.com]

There's always a choice.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

Then I shall respect your choice, gui-Samehada, and you shall respect mine.

[kisameisafish.livejournal.com]

Respect is something to be earned, Huo-san. Not demanded.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

You may as well say then that choice is something to be earned.

[kisameisafish.livejournal.com]

Life is about choices. I don't need your respect to choose what I eat or when.

And I don't need it to choose how to die.

[getsome-sleep.livejournal.com]

Unless, of course, I become somehow complicit in your death.

[kisameisafish.livejournal.com]

Maybe then I'd need it even less.