He nodded solemnly at her assessment of his world. It was, as she'd described, awful in a great many ways. "I doubt that most people want to live that way," Gabriel said. "I certainly don't. But as I said, it's difficult for most people to conceive of how things could be different. And even those who can are afraid; the Supreme and his agents are powerful... and merciless."

"It is a bit more complicated than simply not having friends however." He considered a moment. How to describe it in simple terms? "Relationships that are necessary for society to continue exist, such as commerce, marriage, families to raise children, and yes, friendships. But nothing is meant to be done purely out of affection, kindness, or altruism. Any favor, any gesture of goodwill, is meant to come with strings attached. Whether it actually does, of course, can get somewhat muddled, but that's the basic idea."