[ He quiets at that, listening attentively. Letting the words wash over him, thinking hard about all of it. Nothing is a surprise, and many of these pieces he's already heard in isolation. All together ... It paints a fuller picture. A sad and lonely picture, by Miles' reckoning. A life he never wants to live himself. ]

I see plenty of cynicism. That's why I have to hope - because I'm the only one who will. Everyone else sees me and doubts.

[ Though maybe hope is not quite the right word. Challenge, maybe. He's just relentless more than anything, because there is no other way forward. ]

But yes, I understand your way of thinking. Why you think that way.

I just think ... that you are capable of it, Wash. That you would be if you gave yourself a chance.