[ Hei watches Mao pad in from the corner of his eye. He acknowledges the cat with a clear-eyed glance, but otherwise keeps his focus on Yin. The events of the weekend are perfectly vivid for him. All he'd done was pester Mao and put him to sleep. But he'd slit Yin's throat and tossed her away like a discarded toy. As to what whims and lusts the curse has exploited in his nature -- he's tempted to say None. ]
[ Except that isn't true. ]
[ That Iceman awoken by the curse -- it wasn't a figment of the City. His powers were. But his cruelty and coldness ... all of that was latent in Hei's own psyche. That bloodthirsty facet of himself had hijacked his body. Taken firm control. And in his guidance, that terrible heaviness that Hei always carried ... had vanished. He'd felt so light. ]
[ He doesn't want to examine too closely, what that says about him. Not now. ]
[ Instead there's a sharp glance at Mao for cutting Yin off. But even if she doesn't answer -- the coat she's wearing offers enough of an explanation. Dolls don't feel anger or regret. Dolls don't feel. Except Hei knows that's the biggest lie of their world -- neck and neck with the one about Contractors. ]
I'm sure she feels cold, at any rate. [ He'll get her thermal outfits, if that proves to be a problem. To Yin: ] Has anyone learnt you're City Dead? At your workplace or otherwise?
Hei -> Mao -> Yin, threadjack is a go!
[ Except that isn't true. ]
[ That Iceman awoken by the curse -- it wasn't a figment of the City. His powers were. But his cruelty and coldness ... all of that was latent in Hei's own psyche. That bloodthirsty facet of himself had hijacked his body. Taken firm control. And in his guidance, that terrible heaviness that Hei always carried ... had vanished. He'd felt so light. ]
[ He doesn't want to examine too closely, what that says about him. Not now. ]
[ Instead there's a sharp glance at Mao for cutting Yin off. But even if she doesn't answer -- the coat she's wearing offers enough of an explanation. Dolls don't feel anger or regret. Dolls don't feel. Except Hei knows that's the biggest lie of their world -- neck and neck with the one about Contractors. ]
I'm sure she feels cold, at any rate. [ He'll get her thermal outfits, if that proves to be a problem. To Yin: ] Has anyone learnt you're City Dead? At your workplace or otherwise?