[Hei is kinder than he might give himself credit for, even if "kindness" may not be the most apt descriptor. On some level, Chekov is conscious of this.

And yet he finds it said that Hei is so resigned to being as he is. Anything, no matter how many pieces it has been crushed into, can be reassembled into a rough similarity of the original; those who have suffered can be shown that not all of life is suffering, those who have learned never to trust can, in time, trust again. The human psyche is strong. There are no good emotions and qualities that cannot take root in a soul, no matter how damaged it is. (Or so Pavel thinks.)]

Then I will hope that you will live, and that I will live it be old without bitterness. [He traces he glowing edges of the dreamcatcher again, enthralled.] Or, failing that, young and still not bitter.

[He pauses briefly--not long enough to invite further conversation, but long enough to drag up a thought that he has been meaning to get out for some time. Excessive drinking is good at that--bring up thoughts that would otherwise stay hidden.] Do you think that it is possible for you do be a good person?