Shen's Quest IC, OMG I'm running for Emo Samurai... Options

[emo samurai]

"In other words, you haven't had time to think about what your desires are as opposed to your fears."

[Ophis]

"Yeah, I suppose. But that's hardly new."

[emo samurai]

"Would you, however, agree, outside of the occasional attack by shadowrunners and drones, that most of those fears are behind you? That if there ever was a time to think of your needs and desires, it would be now?

"If you don't agree with me, then by all means tell me about your fears."

[Ophis]

"You've never lived on the streets right? You're never free of fear, that's how life is."

[emo samurai]

"Did it make you feel powerless? And did you ever envision a better life for yourself?"

[Ophis]

"I didn't make me feel powerless, it showed me how powerless I was. You only get out of it if you get powerful."

[emo samurai]

"If you were to get powerful, what would you do, besides do what you could to maintain said power?"

[Ophis]

"i dunno, it's not like I'm much good at anything."

[emo samurai]

"Aptitude comes with practice; what we're here to find out is what you want."

[Ophis]

"I want to live, that's all."

[emo samurai]

"You simply wish to survive? Are there any other stipulations? Anything else you wish for life to give you? Security, love, happiness? Anybody can survive, if they take enough trouble; I am sure that is not what you mean."

[Ophis]

"Survival is the best I can hope for."

[emo samurai]

"What about when this is over, when Kratos is dead and your survival is taken care of?"

[Ophis]

"You think that survival can be sorted out like," she snaps a finger, "and it's all sorted. Survival takes more than a magic fucking wand, Fu Man Chu."

[emo samurai]

"What do you think is necessary for survival? Food? Warmth? Safety from attackers? All of those can be provided for you, but I doubt that in time, they will be enough for you."

[Ophis]

"At what cost? Everything has a price."

[emo samurai]

"Sometimes, others take on those costs. For example, Phoenix; has he asked anything of you? And if he decides to let you go, I would be more than willing to support you. I have already resolved to financially help Wing become an artist."

[Ophis]

"You'll both want something eventually, it's how the world is."

[emo samurai]

"I want you to be happy, if that counts."

[Ophis]

"Why, whats in it for you?"

[emo samurai]

"There are things people want that don't have to do with food, power, or hurting people. It is as simple as that.

"I have been without direction for a long time. It is good to be able to do something genuinely good."

[Ophis]

"Bullshit, no one does anything for nothing."

[emo samurai]

"I am not doing this for nothing; I am doing this to feel more involved with a world that I have largely forsaken. Is that more abstract than power, or dominance? I think not."

[Ophis]

Hannah looks at Shen with an expression of puzzlement she doesn't seem to understand what he is saying.

[emo samurai]

"In other words, people do things for reasons other than survival. Even Kratos; he did things for a feeling of dominance even though his needs were well provided for. He had an abstract need, the need for a feeling of power. I have another abstract need, the need to help. I am sure you also have abstract needs."