Deeper than any programming. The primitive side of himself that the protocols worked to balance. They were not emotional automatons, as she had said before. Rhimodians experienced emotional sensations. They just had a great deal of programming to keep the emotions from becoming overwhelming.
Harbin still felt the Craving. It would be much more tampered down than what it must have been like in its raw state.
The Rhimodians were primitive before the Orlicians started working on them. It wasn't long before they became stronger, bigger, and more compliant.
At least, that's what the records said.
Harbin just remembered fleeing the Orlicians.
His memories flashed back to the journey away and how they had abandoned Orlicia and the makers to find their own way.
He shook his head.
Even now, the memories seemed foreign and unusual.
"Strange," he whispered.
"What is strange?' Lady Bianca asked. She had emerged from the suite. She'd left her heavy cloak inside, and the stylized coif of hair now tumbled around her face.
It made her look even more appealing than before.
The Craving roared under his skin.
Harbin remained still, for the intensity was strong, and his initial desire was to pull her to him, to feel her curves pressed against--
"Rhimodian, are you well?" she asked.
"Harbin," he said, his voice raspy.
"Harbin. Are you well? You seem to be, well, pale."
"I am operating at proper parameters."
She gazed at him, her eyebrow raised, and crossed her arms. "If you say so."
"Was there something you needed?" he asked
"Honestly, I wanted to head back to the transport ship."
"Are you finished?" That did not seem to take long.
"Not entirely, no. I am hungry, though, and I have provisions on the ship to eat."
"We have edibles here," Harbin said.
Terrans prefer meals. Offer her a meal, Master System said.
Harbin blinked. "I can offer you a meal." He stumbled over the words as he said them.
"A meal would be lovely, thank you," she said.
He nodded. "You are welcome."
And they both stood there for a moment.
He looked at her.
She crossed her arms over her chest, then dropped them to her side, her gaze darting around.
