[ That's an interesting statement, one it takes her a bit to parse and formulate a reply to. ]

That wasn't so long ago for me, [ she says wryly. ] But everything I've done, I've done on purpose. I get how losing control would feel different.

[ Despite her perky flirting, Root absolutely gets that. Every act of violence she's ever committed has been perfectly deliberate, totally clear-eyed; no excuses. If she simply lashed out against her own will -- that would be horrifying, its own kind of violation. ]