Stephen was having a conversation with an elite doctor through his tablet. As he did so, he was writing his name with his trembling hand.

"I looked at all your research," said Etienne. "I read all the papers you've sent, but...none will work. I... I don't think you realize how severe the damage is. I - "

"Look, here's the thing: I - "

"At best, I'd try and fail. Look, I understand. Here's the thing. I... What you want from me is impossible, Stephen."

"Come on," Stephen pleaded.

"I've got my own reputation to consider," Etienne retorted.

"Etienne, wait."

"I can't help you."

"No. No, no, wait!" Stephen pleaded.

Etienne hung up. Stephen yelled in frustration and knocked the tablet and the papers he was practicing on off the table. He sat there for a moment, defeated, before the door opened and Aries walked in.

"Hey, loser," she greeted. She stopped walking. "Ah - more bad news. I'm guessing that doctor won't do it?"

"He's a hack," Stephen insulted. "There's a new procedure in Tokyo. They culture donor stem cells and then harvest them and 3D-print a scaffold. If I could get a loan together, just - "

"Stephen - "

"A small loan - two hundred thousand," he said.

Aries walked over to the table and sat in an empty chair. "I hope you're not asking me for a loan because I'm a gardener-slash-florist. I don't make quite that much in even a year. You live a lavish life and you've always spent money as fast as you could make it, but now you're spending money you don't even have. You don't need this procedure or your hands. You're lucky to have your hands, Stephen. I love you, but - "

"No," he interrupted. "Now is exactly the time not to stop. Because, you see, I'm not getting any better! You're my best friend. You should support me!"

"But this isn't medicine anymore. Magic does not exist. Some things just can't be fixed. You're lucky to be alive. I'm lucky to still have you in my life," she retorted.

"Life without my work - "

" - is still life. You're alive, Stephen! There are other things that can give your life meaning," she scolded.

"Like what? Like you?" he insulted.

"Okay, I can see when I'm not welcome somewhere. I'll come back to check up on you when you take your head out of your ass. You're being more irrational and rude than usual. Take a vacation, Stephen."