[ she doesn't know why what he says makes her feel suddenly defensive for his sake-- as if it seems unfair to her that such an important part of how he perceives himself should depend on a broken and angry artificial intelligence. ]

Your perspective is valid regardless of my experiences. [ she insists, reaching out to grasp his arm by the wrist. her grip is solid and steady, like she is. ] Being different does not make you a mistake. It simply makes you that-- different. You do not need to justify your existence to anyone.

[ it's hard to say if she says that more for him or for herself. ]