[ well, now that he's been given the go-ahead, it's a little embarrassing. soysauce gives a quiet, sheepish little laugh -- fidgeting with his fingers a bit before speaking up. ]

I grew up in the desert. On a tiny farm near an little oasis. It was fairly safe, because most slavers would target larger farming communities, but it was terribly lonely. I worked hard on the farm so I didn't get to attend school, much -- I didn't really have any friends until I was quite a bit older. I ran away to the city the first opportunity I had, because I couldn't take how quiet and lonely it was.

[ gosh, it's really a little flustering to say this out loud, and soysauce gives a soft laugh. picking at his tie clip as he goes on, ]

-- so -- that's why I think it's so admirable that you remain so strong while working alone. It's a bit of a self-centered reason, I suppose. But I honestly think it must be very taxing for you, to insist on working alone like that.