"I started entertaining the idea that a long life might be worth the effort. My death happened in my early thirties, so I missed the chance to properly become a bitter dedushka."

Mantis made a surprised noise, followed by a more contemplative one. "That doesn't seem very fair. Interests and personality should be more happenstance than something that's inherent to one's being. You could get stuck in a role or a rut that you can never get out of."