[Markus has to take time to turn these replies over in his head. He believes her, as Connor had said, and the bit of lying to their friends— well. He’s certain a part of that retort is born from irritation, but he senses the earnestness embedded in the declaration, too.

Something of an impasse, then, wondering how to reconcile it. His eyes move to the other android, briefly, stiffly:]

That might be an issue moving forward, since keeping this information under wraps requires an on-going lie of omission.

[To feign ignorance. To not correct the oblivious whenever the name “Katelin” is used on the network or in-person. He glances sidelong at Bobbi again to confirm this, and to ask a second question.]

You mentioned trust. I want to know, out of curiosity, what we’ve done to earn it. Something like his isn’t merely handed out due to friendship alone.

[And Bobbi was closer to him than she was to Connor, making even that much a flimsy excuse.]