"Cages always serve a purpose." The question struck him as incredibly naive, one that a very young Pell might have asked. Someone whose life experiences hadn't left them with the intensely varied ones that Seel had. The lack of nuance. Or need. "I was always in a cage Bong-Soon. I just didn't always realize it. Sometimes cages look different and you have trouble recognizing them for what they are."

Seel was quite sure there were those who shared Bong-Soon's values. That it was cruel to keep someone in a cage. Then again, he was also sure those that Seel himself had tried to literally cage would veto that entire idea. He had an unfortunate tendency to lock people up. When your own power is constrained, sometimes you lash out in the very same way. Perpetuating the cycle. There was a reason Seel was caged. He was not always a nice har.

He gave Bong-Soon a look, trying to figure out what she could even mean by the idea that she didn't underestimate him. Really? Really? As for why he called her on the statue? Seel saw weakness and wouldn't help going for it.

"Statues are also viewed only for their beauty or what others deign of their value."