You don't really think that's true, do you? You're no animal—you can't live without feelings, whether you like it or not. Unless you're a certain friend of mine, but even he's been opening up more lately. It's creepy.

[It's his turn to stop walking as he waits for his own reply. Ashelia is too young to feel so cold and cynical, he thinks, but what does he know? He's been killing since he was even younger, and the part of him that has remorse isn't fully formed.]

It's a shame. I'm not much of a fighter. Maybe I should leave all the heavy-lifting to you?

[He smiles. He's probably kidding.]