Adonis stood frozen, the blue liquid shimmering in his hand. The [Heart Protocol] bar above his head flickered with a static-filled ORANGE.
[STATUS: CONFUSION / CONCERN]
"Why?" he started, his brow furrowing. "Pain inhibition is the logical response to biological distress. Why do you reject the solution?"
Nikki squeezed her eyes shut as another wave of pain rolled through her lower back. "Because... because I don't want to be numb, Adonis. Those military meds... they knock you out. They make you feel like a droid. I just want to feel... human. Even if it hurts."
She looked up at him, pleading silently for him to just accept it.
Adonis stared at her. It was a uniquely human contradiction. It was irrational.
But looking at her pale face and the stubborn set of her jaw, he realized that arguing would only increase her stress levels.
He lowered the vial.
"Understood," he said quietly, placing the medicine back on the dresser.
