He tried for a smile, but he wasn't a practiced professional like me, so he just looked miserable instead.I hated to see him like that, no matter how much he deserved it, so I kissed him as the airlock beyond the shuttle doors pressurized, and I held him close and I breathed him in.
And now you know everything.
I'm ready to see him now.
[Interview concluded]
Judicial Interview Notes, End of Day 3
Audio only; transcript follows
Parties involved
Subject, ACT [alias, abaya]
Interviewer, Justiciar Tra Fell [TF in transcription]
TF: We have concluded the medical evaluation and a comprehensive screening.We wished to share our findings.We have also consulted with more knowledgeable parties while maintaining strict anonymity.
ACT: Hm.[Prolonged silence follows]
TF: Did you wish toreviewthe results?
ACT: Have you shared them with [REDACTED]?
TF: Yes.We understand that was a condition of your cooperation in this matter.
ACT: Then proceed.
TF: [TFproduces adatapadwith a copy of the findings, slidingitacross the interview table toSubject ACT] There is no physiological reason for [REDACTED] to be drawn to you or for his declaration, despite the concerns of the injured party.We have been thorough in our examination.His choices were his own.
ACT: I am not surprised.
TF: You have said you expected this result.However, you appear relieved.
ACT: You've heard his interview.You were there.And you know how I've described our connection.It's – [Subject ACT exhales] I let myself wonder.When you're raised on those stories, there is a small part of you that believes they might be true after all.
TF: That is not logical, but we acknowledge it is the truth of your experience.It is worth noting that the human physiological response to love is chemically identical to its response to highly addictive substances.However, this is an innate trait of the species rather than something provoked in virra by sinnenthi.Abayan physiology is rather similar in its chemical and hormonal responses to significant emotions of affection, though, as in many things, human physiology goes to an extreme.We have been assured this is normal, and our research supports this conclusion.Our translator has explained that lovers often say they areaddictedto one another.There are many cultural artifacts, particularly music, about this effect.As you are both sinnenthi and entinn –
ACT: [SubjectACTtenses visibly]
TF: Our apologies.You are aware this is confidential.Your gender identity is of no significance to us beyond its relevance to our investigation.
ACT: Yes, I am aware.It remains… unsettling to hear it said so bluntly.
TF: We understand, but wish to explain our reason for provoking discomfort.[REDACTED] has had a more extreme neurochemical reaction to you than an abaya would because of his human physiology and adverse childhood experiences.It is in keeping with his psychological profile, as detailed in our report.As entinn, you are primed to attune to and take on his feelings as your own.What you feel is likely because you are, each of you, who you are: a human virra and an abayan sinnenthi-entinn.This may be the source of the intensity of your connection.However, it falls within expected possible parameters.There are no questionable attributes that would lend credence to the complainant's claims.
ACT: I understand.
TF: [REDACTED] is currently debriefing with our translator in another room.He insisted that, as soon as his interview concluded and hesurfaced fromthesubmersed state, that he be brought to you.He has been quite demanding.
ACT: I am certain he has been polite in his requests.
TF: We cannot fault his manners.We remain unaccustomed to human… intensity.Our translator has been of assistance in this matter.Do you require more time with the preliminary findings?
ACT:No.
TF:[TFremoves the datapad] We will need no more than a day to finalize our findingsand file them appropriately.Are you ready to see [REDACTED]?
