[Anna's heart may be some unholy mechanical construct, but when she sets it on her sleeve like this it's impossible to tell the difference between it and a wholly human one. Paul can't help but see it, and he thinks he's beginning to better understand why Teacher makes such allowances for her. There's something disarming about her blunt realness, unfiltered and brash.

She reminds him of someone. He doesn't think about it.]

Weren't you one of the ones suggesting...what was it, 'kissy faces'? For battlefield morale? Intimidation of the enemy? I can't quite remember.

What I mean is - I'm certain you could work a little gossip in, if you're already doing all of that.

[He feels like he has a bit of a right to tease her back, if only for a moment.]

You seem to manage with people. You've gotten me talking, for one.