Kai once again found himself staring at the girl, his face neutral. "This is exactly what I'm talking about. I'm trying to help you, Mira. Because I could take you downtown and set you loose, and just leave. Let you turn on your own and kill whatever poor sap happens to be nearby because you can't control the thirst. But I'm here, because I still remember what it was like when I killed the first time." He sighed. "You don't want to live with something like that, do you?"<br/>The direct question seemed to get through to Mira, at least a little. Her triumphant smile faltered just a little. "'Course you don't. That's what I'm doing for you. If we're letting you go, I don't want you to live with the kinda shit in your head that I have in mine."<br/>There was more silence, and Kai's head dropped a little. "I don't remember what I used to look like. You're right. It's been a long time since I've seen a face in the mirror I could be sure was mine, because Plum got to me when I was a kid. Shifting became a habit, and then routine. I don't even know if I remember how to relax enough to see my own face again.<br/>"But I do remember who I used to be, and...I wish I could go back to that. But I can't, and now you can't either. So, be angry. Be furious and scream at me, be as vindictive as you want. It doesn't make a difference." He chuckled mirthlessly. "I wish it did, for your sake. I really do. And for what it's worth, well...I won't apologize for doing what I did to you that night, but I am sorry that Chuck died because of me." If nothing else, the shifter sounded sincere.