His mind flashes to Charlie, her smiling face, her beautiful laughter, her bright ideas...
"But... that was all before."
... turned cold and dark and distant in Their depths, her body lost, her humanity forgotten...
"Things worked out... for one of us."
... so distorted that she can't even see what she's lost anymore. He can't even blame her. When he was taken from the Constant, he was indulging her new identity as Queen, kneeling to her power, serving as her eyes and ears. Would it be the worst thing if Ava-
"No."
"Do not give yourself to Them, Ava. I've watched a friend be unraveled into shadow, and I'm not about to let it happen again if I can help it."
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"But... that was all before."
... turned cold and dark and distant in Their depths, her body lost, her humanity forgotten...
"Things worked out... for one of us."
... so distorted that she can't even see what she's lost anymore. He can't even blame her. When he was taken from the Constant, he was indulging her new identity as Queen, kneeling to her power, serving as her eyes and ears. Would it be the worst thing if Ava-
"No."
"Do not give yourself to Them, Ava. I've watched a friend be unraveled into shadow, and I'm not about to let it happen again if I can help it."