[ Hei wouldn't be BK201 if he couldn't catch tiny tells around him, especially on his own teammates. It happens in turns -- the way Mao's hackles rise, Yin's pale fingers tightening a degree around the cat. He's too familiar with those reactions on victims to mistake the emotion being radiated. Wariness (Fear). Except, coming from Yin, the tic carries the force of a scream. Hei half-flinches as if it is a scream. It's not unfounded, he knows that. An experience like the weekend isn't something you instantly bounce back from. He can't blame either of them for acting this way. ]
[ But he can blame himself for being stupid. It would've wiser to contact them via the Network device. (Except he wanted to see Yin in person. To confirm what's already been confirmed.) ]
No. [ Toneless. ] You did the right thing.
[ His gaze drops to where he's touching her chin. Almost like a jolt from a live spark, his hand abruptly drops down to his side. (She tells him I'm Fine, and in the practical sense, she is. She's just not Fine where he's concerned.) He's silent for a long moment, the kind that's usually so easy between them, but now feels strained. Finally, he stares at her, all the animation drained out of his eyes. ]
All right. [ Deep inside, a cold voice, the stifled Reaper's, is laughing at him. He wishes he could resort to child-Pai's tantrum of choice: Go away Go away GO AWAY! But it's too late for that. (This must've been what Nietzsche meant about monsters and abysses.) When he speaks next, it's Contractor-calm. ] Tell me if anyone at work pries more than they should. I'll send you a package later this week. [ Temperature-controlled clothing and blankets. 12v socks. He's killed her, but he can make sure she doesn't freeze. ]
[ With that, and without a backward glance, he turns and exits her flat. He can't change the reality of what's been done. But he can give her space while she's leery of him. Wait until, hopefully, she's stopped. ]
action;
[ But he can blame himself for being stupid. It would've wiser to contact them via the Network device. (Except he wanted to see Yin in person. To confirm what's already been confirmed.) ]
No. [ Toneless. ] You did the right thing.
[ His gaze drops to where he's touching her chin. Almost like a jolt from a live spark, his hand abruptly drops down to his side. (She tells him I'm Fine, and in the practical sense, she is. She's just not Fine where he's concerned.) He's silent for a long moment, the kind that's usually so easy between them, but now feels strained. Finally, he stares at her, all the animation drained out of his eyes. ]
All right. [ Deep inside, a cold voice, the stifled Reaper's, is laughing at him. He wishes he could resort to child-Pai's tantrum of choice: Go away Go away GO AWAY! But it's too late for that. (This must've been what Nietzsche meant about monsters and abysses.) When he speaks next, it's Contractor-calm. ] Tell me if anyone at work pries more than they should. I'll send you a package later this week. [ Temperature-controlled clothing and blankets. 12v socks. He's killed her, but he can make sure she doesn't freeze. ]
[ With that, and without a backward glance, he turns and exits her flat. He can't change the reality of what's been done. But he can give her space while she's leery of him. Wait until, hopefully, she's stopped. ]