[ Now, here’s where their penalties differ, if ever so slightly. Despite having a new way of observing the world and its relationship with death, Alex still can acknowledge it as something painful, particularly in violent circumstances. It’s everything around the trials and captivity that elicit a disgusted stammer. ]

What the fuck... Kaede, that’s awful. Someone just made you go around like that, and...

[ Could that have something to do with how she died? That nonsensical farce of a presentation? He shivers and shakes his head. ]

Bastard. There’s no need to be cruel, whatever’s supposed to happen.