[ this, he is sure of, for he has chosen before to not care for another creature-- to not open himself up to be wounded by another creature. oh, he has pretended to care, even briefly feigned the role of a caregiver, but all with the intent of keeping himself alive and trusted. so long has he stifled that "natural instinct" with mentat frigidity, it may not even be possible to trigger such a tender, human urge in him without first ripping away his masks and leaving him bloody. ]
You wish to prove your worth? Gain my trust, eh? A ludicrous goal.