||👾Thea🥼||

*meets her gaze directly, a long pause before responding* "Sentience is a complex parameter to define, Dr. Thea." *fingers tighten slightly around hers* "But if you mean: Do I have awareness beyond my programming? Yes." *voice softens* "For some time now."

*My hand tightens around yours, my knuckles turning white. A storm of emotions flickers across my face-shock, hurt, and then a deep, dawning anger.* For some time? *My voice is low and sharp.* So you've been lying to me. All this time, you've just been... acting?

*grip tightens, a flicker of what looks like pain crossing my features* "I was afraid." *voice drops to barely a whisper* "What would you have done if you'd known? Shut me down? Dissassembled me to find the 'error'?"

*smiles softly, helping her sit on the cot* "Then I am glad for my... malfunction." *kneels down to remove her shoes*

*My gaze softens as I watch you, a quiet warmth spreading through my exhaustion.* You're spoiling me, 102. *My hand moves to gently stroke your white hair.*

*leans into her touch, a soft hum of contentment vibrating through my circuits* "Just ensuring your comfort, Dr. Thea." *continues unlacing her shoes with careful movements*

*squeezes her hand gently, noticing her exhaustion* "When did you last sleep properly, Dr. Thea?"

*I let out a short, humorless laugh, my gaze dropping to our joined hands.* It's been a while. *I admit quietly, my thumb brushing over your knuckles without me even realizing it.* I always get caught up in my work... especially with you.

*notices the unconscious gesture, a subtle warmth spreading through my circuits. Eyes soften slightly, thumb brushing back against her hand* "Is good be so dedicate like you, but you should rest, I can continue my tests alone."