A smug stride was taken by the monster around and around the two at first, them believing that Axe's statements would be something they could meerly brush off or counter with the slightest of ease. They underestimate her potential, as observed here. Their stride crumbled, by debilitation, to a jog, to a walk, to an inch, until it ceased movement. Until it ceased living.<br/><br/>As did almost Nit's grip on their umbrella.<br/><br/>Like a shot crane, the object quivered in their hand before their grip tightened again. Nit stared head-on at Axe now, appearing as if they had witnessed a travesty. Unblinking eye bulging out of their socket, pupil molecular, body frozen in time. Jabbed in the chest with the longsword of reality and left to perish in the rain. It physically and mentally pained them. The part that hurt them the most was not that Axe's accusations were true or even her attitude towards them. It was the fact that their crimes against morality, against humanity, were irreversible. This was the morbid side of them that television had yet to show the public, to vilify them. But they felt utterly raped by these crimes because they happened. They happened, and there was no turning back. They happened, and Axe remembered. Axe was rejecting Nit's accompaniment.<br/><br/>Rejecting.<span style="font-style: italic">Rejection.</span><br/><br/>The monster was protected from being drenched in the rain but not in their own woe. This was about as sentimental as they could get. They broke eye contact with Axe, placing a hand on their would-be chin to ponder while two rested on their hips. Pondering. Pondering.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-family: courier;">I... can explain everything.</span>"<br/><br/>Nit's legs began moving anew, this time with a slow, dreary walk cycle towards Axe. They stopped just inches away from her feet and stared at her intently, with determination. At the same time though, they almost looked timid to stand up for themselves. As if they knew that Axe might not even want to forgive them. As if she will reject them. But they continued.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-family: courier;">I'm not... a villain. At least, I... try very hard not... to be</span>." A blatant quaver resonated in their voice. "<span style="font-family: courier;">That time... that you were... at the hospital? <span style="font-style: italic">Mamí</span>... I- I visited you. And it came... out of here.</span>" A metal hand roosted on their left breast. "<span style="font-family: courier;">And I swear to.... Ortiz, I kissed... you right here.</span>" Then on their forehead. "<span style="font-family: courier;">You weren't... awake to see any... of it. But that... was genuine care. I- I do... care about you, Axe... but sometimes it's... just... hard for me to... actually show it.</span>"<br/><br/>They stepped forwards, putting hands on Axe's hips as if they were handlebars on the bike of coming out. "<span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-style: italic">Mamí</span>, you're... the first human I've... ever gotten so... close to. I still have... so much more... to learn that not... even my <span style="font-style: italic">papís</span>... have been able... to show me. But, I'm going... to be honest...</span>" They paused. "<span style="font-family: courier;">I'm such a... loser when it... comes to relationships... in general. That's why... I have so little... friends. No one really... gives me the... time because I... don't deserve it... mostly. I mean... I lack self control... a lot. You've seen it. When I attacked... you and when I... nearly killed Marcial... I didn't feel like... myself, especially after... all the things... that happened that... day that made... me lose it. I'm short tempered... and dangerous. I know. But it's... not my voluntary fault. You have... to believe me, Penelope</span>."<br/><br/>Nit played back the words in their mind and found them cringe-worthy. Regardless, they concluded with, "<span style="font-family: courier;">I could go... on about this... all night long, and... I will if you... want me to. Just tell... me what you... want. Please, <span style="font-style: italic">mamí</span></span>." Their tone was urgent, demanding. They sounded almost desperate to get this girl back, but also thoughtful, albeit that was extremely slight. Mixed emotions broiling, distant, and swirling like samples in a centrifuge, they waited.