[ but his emotions are reflective. quiet. the cat purrs against his attention, and scien lingers in that spot and the kitty melts against his touch.

data points.

every little indicator is a data point that he can take in and adjust his behavior to best lead to someone else’s contentment. to see someone with clear, straightforward eyes and provide his version of care from there. ]

… but she felt like she had no one else. So I could not turn her away. She asked me for my help before she even became a monster, and wanted to know what she could do in return.

But making children pay to be helped is nonsense.

So I had to change the shape of my help. And I decided that even if I possess no natural gift for caretaking, I would learn it.