"Are you going to be alright, man? I know you've had a pretty rough time of things lately, I-...," I began.
"The last thing you need to do right now is worry about me. I'll be fine...well, not right away, but still. This does really suck, though...I can't believe I'm losing you too," Sighed Ilex in response.
"Yeah...I wish I had more time. But I suppose I can't really complain...bittersweet as it may be, being given the chance to get to say goodbye like this is a privilege that most people don't get. So, I guess I should be grateful that I at least get to do this much," I replied with a wistful smile.
"In a way, this is almost worse...we may get to say goodbye to you, but seeing and speaking to you while knowing that you'll soon be gone for good, and that we can't do anything to stop it, it...it hurts. Especially after all that you've done for me," He muttered as he averted his gaze.
