[ 'if you're so ready to kill yourself for your misguided ideals, then die' the wanderer says, and kaveh nearly smiles. yes, kaveh thinks - he has died before hasn't he? over and over again, in a holding pattern just like this, over ideals that may never come to fruition. but they were kaveh's ideals to die for. if not kaveh, then who? rather, it took a certain kind of requisite strength to live for your ideals, and kaveh didn't have that, not really.

this, kaveh doesn't say. instead, with a single step forward: ]

Luckily for all of us involved, you're no god, are you? [ kaveh tips his chin, ] And even so, not even a god is capable of judging my ideals. Yes, I've been trying to die, and I've no compunction over it being for you - Alhaitham!

[ alhaitham's hand snaps out for kaveh's wrist. instinctively, kaveh tugs against it, and then finds himself wound back much in the way of a reeled fishing line. the red of his glare turns itself first on their joined wrist, and then to alhaitham proper -

kaveh looks. and then, slowly, kaveh takes in a deep breath. he lets it go. ]

... you're right, though. Maybe there is another path forward. I doubt it, but it's worth exploring.