[she flinches a little at the grip around her ankle. the fingers of her free hand twitch; she slips her hand back into her pocket to grip the small item she'd tucked in there before and takes a slow, steadying breath. her other hand stays on shouxue's shoulder, as if she might help support her if she were to sit upright.]

Shouxue... I don't want to see you die any more than you want to see me die.

[her voice trembles a little.]

But I don't know how long I can keep myself from...