[ It's surprising when she asks him. There's very little that catches Hei off-guard these days, and he glances at her, a genuine expression in the lift of his brows. His hands drum lightly against the bars. It's a tricky question, though not as tricky as the answer. But he doesn't try to twist his words into an illusion of honesty. Pai has a right to know. ]

Because she's good at one thing. Watching. Because she's got a soft-spot for children. Even if she claims otherwise. [ It's a dismally familiar scenario. ] That, and if she tries anything on you, I'll have no reason to hold back with her. [ It'd be almost cathartic, if that's the right word for his and Hatter's endless games of cat-and-mouse. No holds barred; no time wasted on chit-chat. ]