"Varian! Your existence is not a mess." She gave his shoulder a playful shove, with all of the strength of a wet noodle. But enough was enough! She didn't want anyone talking that way about her friend. Especially her friend. "You've just taken a rockier path. A lot of people do. And so many of them find it rewarding, in the end. I think because they come to know themselves, a lot more than those who follow the easier path."

Which was about as far as she got with metaphors.

She dropped her hands on her heels again. "But...I know what it's like to wonder. And I don't think it's a bad thing. Just don't let it drive your every waking moment, or you'll forget about the life you are living."