"Even if... even if there is more to this," Nala struggled, "it doesn't change what needs to be done. Humanity's flaws…"
'Are your flaws too,' Zara cut in. 'That's what really terrifies you, isn't it? The possibility that you're not just observing humanity, you're part of it.'
"I am not running from anything!"
'Really? Then why did you make yourself forget? Why did you trade a divine favor, something incredibly valuable, just to erase the memory of feeling human emotions? Seems like an awful lot of effort just to avoid dealing with feelings.'
The memories of that deal with Dionz played again, the desperation in Memory-Nala's voice, the tears she'd tried to hide, the raw pain she'd wanted to escape.
"I needed to maintain my objectiv…"
'Objectivity? Is that what you call it? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks more like fear. Fear of connection, fear of emotion, fear of actually living instead of just existing.'