[He's not unsympathetic. Obviously the guy is messed up mentally. On a lot of accounts. But given their literally combative relationship, Ace isn't sure how the hell to even offer an ear to help.]

You should try figuring some of it out in your music. Not just burying yourself in the work of it. Workaholic.

Ahhh a drink for me too. Something harder please. Rum or vodka.

[Sake went well with ramen..... and the idea made his world inwardly tilt. Sake was for brothers. And he wasn't about to share a drink like that with this poser.]

I take it you're the "I'm independent though!" type who didn't want to end up with a label or something?

[It's a prompt. A poke. Maybe it'll get a reaction, maybe it won't. At least it'll narrow it down.]