The aroma of steamed dumplings drifted through the evening air, drawing us toward a weathered wooden stall. An elderly woman working with efficiency as if she had given her whole life in making dumplings her wrinkled hands deftly pleating each wrapper around the spiced meat filling. Steam rose in delicate wisps from the bamboo baskets stacked before her.
"Just walking past isn't going to work this time," Ray said, gently steering me toward the stall "Couldn't you have at least tried to show him some concern?"
My manufactured enthusiasm faltered for a moment then i said "I did"
"You didn't," Ray said in a little annoyed voice , even then there was no judgment in his voice. He turned to the stall owner "Two orders, please."
The woman smiled, the crow's feet around her eyes deepening as she arranged dumplings on ceramic plates. Her arrengement were quick but careful, each dumpling placed with the precision of decades of practice. "Fresh from the steamer," she said proudly. "Mind the heat, young masters"
We found a quiet spot near the edge of the market, sitting on worn stone steps that led to a closed shop. The crowds had begun to thin as evening approached, though the constant laughter of the city still lingered in the air In the distance, the castle's towers caught the last rays of sunlight, glowing like molten gold.
For a while, we ate in comfortable silence, watching merchants pack up their stalls.
"The fortune teller," Ray said suddenly, his voice had became quieter now. "She spoke of choices."
I set down my empty plate. "She did ! "
"But how can you choose when you can't feel ? How do you know which path is right when you don't trust your instincts the way others do?"
I met his gaze, Then I began
"The path I walk right now is the right one. I don't think I lack anything, even now even though I can't be like normal humans , I am not incomplete, In fact I am superior to those bug-like creatures I am fine just as I am."
I took a breath and Then, I added, "I don't think I can make someone dear to me ever "
Ray stared at me in silence, his expression had changed completely now
"I am on the right path even now , Choices don't depend on emotions What matters is which decision benefits your future the most. That's something you can only truly understand when you don't let emotions cloud your judgment Feelings only make you suffer more than you deserve."
"Maybe that's exactly why individual choices matter more," Ray murmured.
I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his thoughts
"You say you're superior because you've shed emotions, but isn't it possible that by denying yourself the capacity to feel, you're just... limiting your own potential?"
"Limiting myself?" I repeated, my tone laced with disdain. "I think the opposite. I've freed myself from the chains of sentimentality, from attachments that only lead to pain and weakness. Humans cling to each other out of fear fear of being alone, fear of insignificance. They feed on each other in the name of companionship. But I don't need any of that. I've transcended those primal urges."
Ray tilted his head slightly, an odd expression crossing his face. Pity?
"Is that really freedom, though?" he asked softly. "Or is it just another kind of prison? You talk about superiority, but all I see is someone afraid to let anyone get close. Afraid of what might happen if you allow yourself to care "
"Care?" I scoffed. "Care always leads to a loss Loss always leads to suffering. Why would anyone willingly choose that when they can avoid it entirely?"
"Because caring also leads to something else," Ray countered, his voice was steady not like his usual self "It leads to connection. Growth. Meaning. Yes, it comes with risks, but without those risks, life becomes hollow. What's the point of existing if you're not truly living? If you shut yourself off completely, then what are you fighting for? What drives you forward?"
A smirk tugged at my lips, sharp and bitter. "Complexity is just another word for chaos. Why would anyone willingly invite chaos into their life when they can achieve clarity instead? Emotions are messy, unpredictable they cloud judgment and breed irrationality. Tell me, Ray, how many wars have been fought because of human emotions? How many lives ruined by grief or jealousy? Those aren't signs of strength; they're proof of humanity's inherent flaws."
Ray opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off before he could speak.
"You talk about connection like it's some divine gift, but all it does is tie you down. People claim relationships give life meaning, but what happens when those connections break? When someone you care about dies or worse, betrays you? Then what's left? Pain. Loss. Regret. And for what? A fleeting moment of happiness that vanishes the second something goes wrong?"
I stepped closer to him, my gaze locking onto his with unrelenting
"I've seen humans destroy each other over emotions. Families torn apart, friendships shattered, nations at war all because of feelings they couldn't control. So I don't see the appeal in there . I've chosen a better path: one where I rely only on myself, where I'm not held hostage by attachments or dragged down by sentimentality. That's not weakness, Ray it's liberation."
Ray stared at me, silent for a long moment. There was no anger in his gaze, if I had to say it was only sadness Finally, he said , his voice softer than before. "But isn't there value in vulnerability? In allowing yourself to feel deeply, even if it means risking pain? Without risk, there's no reward. Without loss, there's no appreciation for what you have."
I shook my head, almost pityingly. "Reward? Appreciation? Those are luxuries for people who can afford them. I don't have that luxury. The world doesn't wait for you to have those rewards, Ray If you stop to appreciate the flowers, you'll miss the storm coming right behind you. Survival isn't about indulging in fleeting pleasures it's always about staying ahead"
"And what happens when you stay ahead?" Ray asked quietly. "When you've won everything you set out to win, and there's nothing left to fight for? What then, Rudra?"
For a split second, something flickered across my mind uncertainty, perhaps, or doubt. But I crushed it instantly, letting my usual icy composure take hold of me
"This world moves relentlessly," I said loudly "There's always another challenge, another goal to pursue. Satisfaction isn't found in standing still it's found in moving forward. As long as I keep pushing, keep improving, I'll never lack purpose. Unlike humans, who waste their lives chasing hollow dreams and empty promises, I've built mine on a hill of corpses."
Ray sighed, shaking his head slowly. "I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree, then. You believe your way is superior, and I believe there's beauty in imperfection in the messiness of human connection. Neither of us will convince the other."
And that's how , our conversation came to an end.