"Alexei...I'm Askier Mergrey...I get hurt weekly. Who is going to fix me up if you die?" Askier growled angrily, disappointed in his friend's defeated tone.
"You have orders to protect me. You cannot protect me if you are dead! I'm ordering you, no matter what happens with this conditioning, you are not to die or go mad. I will be by your side through it all, damn it! You fight this mentally! I did after Itar carved me up. Sure I have nightmares and have to sleep with a stuffed animal, but I'm mostly functional! Even if you aren't at optimal capacity, you are going to live, even if I have chain you in a cell until you manage to get through this. Got it? I am here for you."
"You have orders to protect me. You cannot protect me if you are dead! I'm ordering you, no matter what happens with this conditioning, you are not to die or go mad. I will be by your side through it all, damn it! You fight this mentally! I did after Itar carved me up. Sure I have nightmares and have to sleep with a stuffed animal, but I'm mostly functional! Even if you aren't at optimal capacity, you are going to live, even if I have chain you in a cell until you manage to get through this. Got it? I am here for you."
