[Because he's come to care about her, obviously. But that's not what he's programmed to do or say, so Zoe will know the exact moment he starts trying to smother his feelings into non-existence — with questionable results.]
It would be... detrimental... to the group as a whole, if you were to become irrational and upset during the trial. [...] Thinking about the common good is part of my programming. That's all there is to it.
Yeah? Sorry, I must have been confused, because it obviously doesn't take into account how I know how dangerous it is here. You know, how I've obviously realized that, because I'm not stupid, okay?
[Oops.]
You know, maybe you should just go around to everyone here who has any friends and tell them how detrimental they might be. See how far that gets you.
He's smart and careful and a lot of people care about him, okay? If anyone's going to make it another few weeks, it's him.
[That anger sure is still there, and it even intensifies as she continues.]
Seriously? I'm upset because you're talking about things that are obviously going to make me emotional, and then acting like I'm stupid and wrong when that happens.
You're misinterpreting my actions. That is not the point I'm trying to get across. But if you're not willing to remain calm and listen, then I can't make you.
I’ve lost people I’ve known for longer than a few weeks, and it’s not the kind that can be easily reversed. This is... If it happened, which it won’t, I’d deal.
[It's slowly starting to ebb away, but the anger still hasn't dissipated fully, which is why her next words come out tense and biting. She knows it isn't really his fault, has an idea of what he was trying to do, but... It still sounds scathing when she says it.]
My brother killed himself three weeks before we all came here. So, yeah, you could say some unpleasant memories have resurfaced.
He was created to be a negotiator. An asset for law enforcement officials. To seamlessly integrate with the humans around him. But right now? Despite the millions of dollars spent on his creation — he doesn't know what to say. There's a moment of stunned silence, before he slowly settled on...]
... Your anger is justified. I apologize, it was never my intention to cause you distress.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Becoming so deeply attached to another participant will be a liability in the future. Do you understand?
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He’s not going to die.
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You don't know that.
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Yes, I do, okay? And just - isn't your whole thing insisting that you don't have any feelings? If that's the case, why do you care?
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You're taking this too personally. Be rational, Zoe.
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[Because he's come to care about her, obviously. But that's not what he's programmed to do or say, so Zoe will know the exact moment he starts trying to smother his feelings into non-existence — with questionable results.]
It would be... detrimental... to the group as a whole, if you were to become irrational and upset during the trial. [...] Thinking about the common good is part of my programming. That's all there is to it.
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Why did you pause?
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[no.]
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[Oops.]
You know, maybe you should just go around to everyone here who has any friends and tell them how detrimental they might be. See how far that gets you.
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[A sigh. One that's completely and utterly unnecessary, considering he doesn't need to breath. The rise and fall of his chest is entirely cosmetic.]
I'm only trying to issue a warning. You're getting upset over nothing.
[Ah. There's the bluntness.]
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[That anger sure is still there, and it even intensifies as she continues.]
Seriously? I'm upset because you're talking about things that are obviously going to make me emotional, and then acting like I'm stupid and wrong when that happens.
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Okay, then. If your point isn't how I'm going to be a huge detriment because I... care about someone, what is it?
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I’ve lost people I’ve known for longer than a few weeks, and it’s not the kind that can be easily reversed. This is... If it happened, which it won’t, I’d deal.
[Maybe.]
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[Maybe, indeed. Connor pauses for a moment, almost as if he's unsure how to proceed after this... before he slowly adds:]
I'm sorry if I caused any unpleasant memories to resurface. [...] I didn't know.
cw suicide
My brother killed himself three weeks before we all came here. So, yeah, you could say some unpleasant memories have resurfaced.
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He was created to be a negotiator. An asset for law enforcement officials. To seamlessly integrate with the humans around him. But right now? Despite the millions of dollars spent on his creation — he doesn't know what to say. There's a moment of stunned silence, before he slowly settled on...]
... Your anger is justified. I apologize, it was never my intention to cause you distress.
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[She can't quite bring herself to say it's fine, even as she fights to regain her composure.]
I know you didn't mean it.