[ he considers this seriously, slowly blinking at some of the creatures in glass aquariums and compartments. ]

...When I first heard your story, I didn't get why you'd leave your pond. All I'd wanted was to be alone. Submerged.

[ to him, that's safe and warm. ]

Now... I don't think I could live in a pond or a cage. It feels like everything until you know what you're missing.