imeeji_frontstage | Mingle time!

Oh. Okay. [ Emotionlessness sure makes this sound like an uncaring response. She'll be horrified about it when she can be horrified again. ]

So... is it you think that my wanting to die reflects badly on those other people? I don't understand why what I do and what they do, or don't do, are connected.

I guess they're two related, but ultimately separate issues.

Firstly, I want to believe that people born to kill have the possibility, no matter how unlikely, to find a way around their natural instinct. So, if it's a possibility, I don't want them killed when it isn't completely and utterly proven there isn't an alternative.

Secondly, I don't want you to feel as though you should die because despair born from loneliness and isolation due to circumstances sucks. Maybe it doesn't apply to you, but the pattern I've observed from that kind of situation is, if someone has no one else who can truly understand their struggles, they will suffer in solitude and - quite possibly, do all kinds of things to try to escape those feelings out of desperation.

For humans at least, having others to share the burden with helps people continue onwards with the knowledge that at least they aren't alone. But I thought - if you're alone with your feelings, it could feel like an unbearable weight, and so it would be difficult to see much hope for yourself, or even want that hope if it meant continuing on alone.

[They reach the lobby, and he continues to the elevator.]

...but like I said, if you don't like it, you can just forget I've said anything at all.

I don't like or not like anything right now. I'm just trying to understand this. I don't like being mad at anyone here, because we should support each other, and I don't like being mad at you because you're Kitsu and Venti's unitmate. [ She spends a lot of her nights at sIV, he may have noticed, which is how she got into this mess. ]

When you talked in generalities about something really personal to me it felt like you were trying to prove a point, or like you were thinking of me as a science project. [ She can explain past feelings, just not current ones. ] Huh. Even if I'm not a person in the end, I guess I would want to be if I had a choice.

I don't think that's so strange. This time being an exception - you have thoughts and feelings of your own, right? And in a place like this, "person" can't really be defined by such a narrow scope as "human" anyway.

Still... pulling from past experiences, such as the knowledge of people I've known before, is just another trait humans have.

[He turns slightly to elbow the button for ☆ZRAEL.]

So all that was you trying to relate to me, or make me feel less alone? [ It didn't seem like that, but okay, she has no reason not to believe him. ] And you did that because there are people you care about who are similar? I guess I didn't understand why you would you say those things to someone you don't care about and don't really know, but if that's just how humans are, then okay.

I think I have feelings. Or an imitation of them that I can't tell apart, at least. Or else I couldn't have lost my temper at you.

[He's not going to bother correcting any of the first part.]

I would be very surprised if that display of anger wasn't real. Emotions have their uses, but I can't think of any particular advantage you'd have from just pretending to be angry at that time.

[Into the elevator they go!]

I get angry easily. Maybe I'm made that way? It wouldn't be much use to make something for killing, then have it happy all the time.

Anyway, I'm trying not to. [ Hence why she wanted to understand what the hell went on the last time they talked. ]

If that's the case, then why have thoughts at all?

If you can think, it makes sense that you would have feelings. Even animals without sapience can feel upset or content.

[And onto the landing! He'll pause by the door so she can use her phone to unlock it.]

To make me easier to control, I think? That's what that scientist guy was doing in the memory you saw, messing with my head to get me to do what he wanted. In any case, the anger is always there, the good feelings aren't.

[ She climbs down from his back, gets out her phone and unlocks the door. On the kitchen counter is an amazing chocolate cake with little chocolate mice and intricately hand decorated chocolate cookies on top. A fair chunk of it is missing but there is plenty left for sharing. ]

Thank you for getting me back. If you still want to try the cake, I'll eat some too.

[He hums thoughtfully as they enter the dorm, crouching to set her down on the nearest chair.]

...I think I'll pass this time. If your feelings return and you decide you still want to talk to me, you can call me over then.

[ Deposited into a chair, but she looks a hint confused ]

I think I'd be okay even if I could feel things. You explained it. And you brought me back here, there has to be something I can do.

Then what you can do for me is rest and get back to me later. Because if we just keep talking while you're like this... well, it feels a little like taking advantage of you while you're not fully yourself, you know?

It's a good way to get past my temper?

[ She manages a tiny smile, like she isn't sure if what she said is funny ]

I can't feel much but I can still not talk if I don't want to. You didn't do anything like take advantage.

That's one way, for sure. Unless... do you think you'd feel lonely if I left you now?

I'm always lonely when I'm not with someone, so maybe.

I don't really like being in here right now though, but I guess... I have to? [ She looks at him to make sure. ]

[Well crap.]

...Yeah, you have to.

[...Hesitantly sitting himself down in a chair, too.]

Okay.

...Why? [ Her only experience with this is handshake consequences. ]

The fans are struggling to associate you with your unit. Have you not been sleeping here lately?

[ A tiny, tiny huff (which would be a full on pout any other time) ]

I prefer to sleep with other people, so I've been doing that.

How would the fans know where I sleep? I thought there weren't cameras in the dorms. [ Was that a lie? She wouldn't be surprised. ]

Not in the dorms, but they can see you in the hotel common areas, too. If they haven't seen you on the landing, they'll know you haven't been back.

There aren't any cameras in the dorms, but everywhere outside of them is fair game, including the balcony.

Considering the type of mail they send, you'd think they wanted us to get laid. [ It is a loss to the world that she has to say this without any emoting whatsoever. ]

I've been bunking with other people off and on for a while and this never happened before.

They're among the damned - even their own senses of self can be... lacking. I'm not sure they can fully recognize us if we aren't associating with our own units.

I guess the lacey corset isn't enough. [ This was probably an attempt at sarcasm, but it comes out flat of course ]

How often do you have to stay put to avoid this? It can't be all the time, I'd have disappeared weeks ago. [ She's only been here a handful of weeks, but still. ]

As long as you spend the night at your dorm every three days, it isn't a problem. Maybe you could invite them over to stay with you on those nights instead?

Oh.

[ She looks over in the direction of the bedrooms, and even emotionless it's clear that she's anxious about the idea of needing to stay there. ]

I guess I could. If I have to.

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