Patience. [ —Sion half-teases, half-chides, and perhaps it is for the best that the other man can neither glimpse his face nor catch sight of his expression: the smile which Sion wears now (and only after hearing Sanzo's dour voice and word) is impossibly blithe (and equally irritating). ]

All things come with time, and I should hate to cause further collapse in my efforts to free you.

[ And so: the series of tap-tap-tappings continues as Sion searches for a section of rubble which would not comprise the integrity of the tunnel were it to be expediently removed...! ]

For now, though, will you not humor me? Were you truly alone, and bereft of means to reach out to others, what would you do?

[ But why does Sion ask? ]

In simple passing, you have struck me as a man who has survived worse calamity than this.

[ ...because Sion notices, takes an interest, and cares. Being holy has nothing to do with it. ]