[ Douman can approximate positive human interactions in the same way that humans can create patterns out of nothing; in some nebulous narrative of his past, he supposes that he saw value in the power of compassion, and truly believed in it. That's what he thinks now, watching Matsui scrutinize him with that level, placid stareー that there's only so many times that he can see something that he doesn't possess before he has to admit that it does, in fact, exist.

Gross. ]

Mmm... ha, ahaha! [ What Is Funny About This, we have no idea. He rocks back and away from Matsui and his ice-blue eyes, suddenly spiteful about being seen. ]

How charitable of them. Even in a place like this, with Meridians pit against Zeniths [ Zenites??? is there a term for them, lord ], compassion reigns.

Will your calisthenics be offered without questions of loyalties?