To really understand would change her, and in ways she wouldn't like. Even the best djafid he could muster, devastating though it would be, could only go so far. Alloran cants his ears, acknowledging without comment, and then remembers the human gesture and gives a stiff nod. He's got less neck flexibility than a human would.

He's not exactly convinced, but Alloran decides not to comment. Would he have come if this was optional? Maybe. He owes humanity, even some strange alternate version. They would also be right to be suspicious of him and not to immediately extend trust. Yes, nothing here is ideal, but he understands wanting some form of insurance.

<That's true enough. I know something about cultures of commodification. You've noticed there's been an attempt to frame us as willing participants and benefitting from some opportunity? They don't need to do that. They could have us in cells and trotted out when there's need,> he muses. <Someone is trying to ease a lingering conscience and pretend things are more ethically sound. Count on it, there are people here not happy about the decisions handed down to them.>

And that could be an opportunity, though for what he couldn't say. Alloran doesn't know enough about what's going on yet.