[ She wouldn’t have that reaction, either, even if she were. She’s had plenty of chances, more than most. He knows that much, but it’s a habit.

...but he was still a human socialized to look at people when they talk for longer than he was a dead-fish robot man, so he still seeks her eyes reflexively at the anxiety in her voice. ]

I don’t have much of a choice. I wasn’t anywhere near it, and it still almost killed me. I just don’t like not being able to do anything.

[ Not just for Struxta’s sake. Between the regularly scheduled robot dysphoria that probably burns a thousand calories a day in restless pacing alone, and the whole ‘waiting for the world to end’ situation, just sitting around is the worst.

a pause before he adds, for good measure, ] That goes for you too. Lightning’s still bad for you, even if you’re not a robot.