[He snaps at her. While he's retreating into his mask, Lotte lets hers fall away, leaving something so blank and lifeless she really may as well be a doll. Someone's no fun, she considers saying, but for once in her life pushes the impulse down, because he'd told her to 'fuck off'. He could just as easily have said 'shut up', 'be quiet', or 'stop'. Whether or not it was intentional, leaving her the choice to be a bitch was a kindness she wasn't sure what to do with except to decide it wasn't worth it after all.

He doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, but it really is better than the alternative. After all this time, it would have only been a slap to the face if he came at this with a self-assured sneer and a can-do attitude.

She waves a hand vaguely at the room V wandered into.] That's where our stand-in went. It's too bad she'd probably be exploited immediately. You don't need a brain in order to behave, so she isn't smart enough to deal with people you can't trust -- not that I think it's a good idea trust anyone, of course.