[ He's always been a pragmatist at heart. A cool-headed part of him says, There's no need to tell her. Why jeopardize a perfectly successful partnership? Dolls aren't programmed to feel guilt or revulsion, true. But that's the same rationalization humans use for Contractors. It's distancing, objectifying. The kind of thing necessary to treat them as tools instead of living-breathing-independent entities. He's never fallen for that particular cognitive trap. Pounds of lies are heavy on his tongue, but he turns them inside, swallows the words. ]
[ Yin has never lied to him. Has always, in her small way, safeguarded his interests. He's determined to return at least a fraction of that goodwill. Closing his eyes, he exhales briefly. Then -- ]
I was the one who attacked you. [ Again, a flat delivery, like he's trying to be as plain as possible, despite the fact that he's discussing maiming and slaughter. But when is that any different from usual, given their background? ] I was cursed. It's a sorry excuse. But it's all I have.
voice;
[ Yin has never lied to him. Has always, in her small way, safeguarded his interests. He's determined to return at least a fraction of that goodwill. Closing his eyes, he exhales briefly. Then -- ]
I was the one who attacked you. [ Again, a flat delivery, like he's trying to be as plain as possible, despite the fact that he's discussing maiming and slaughter. But when is that any different from usual, given their background? ] I was cursed. It's a sorry excuse. But it's all I have.