[ And she sits with that, with all of it, because he’s sat with and listened to everything she’s laid on him. Still, she keeps her gaze on him, not the axe or the scenery or the empty pool.

When she speaks, some time’s passed. ]

You do what you can, to survive, no matter what...is that it?

[ Though it’s a question, it doesn’t sound like one she needs an answer to. ]

...Whether you seek them or not...there’s a chance you’ll still get them. You’ve gotten them in the past. If that should happen, what will you do?