Why would I be keen to die? Nobody wants to die... okay, no that's not entirely right, but I definitely don't want to die.

[ he says this like it's obvious, like he's unsure why the other even brought it up in the first place. while he's known more than a few mages that are more than willing to die for the sake of their ideals and goals, flat has never been one of them. not then, not now.

especially not now. ]

If they can't be reasoned with... then we will simply run. How's that?

[ of course, he's still included in this hypothetical. ]