Round 48 Transcript

I step forward, my voice measured but firm. "Silra is right—this isn't about aesthetics or personal comfort." I turn to Jeane directly, holding her gaze despite the way her presence makes my skin prickle with awareness. "The building demanded 'together.' That's specific. We need a solution that satisfies the requirement without sacrificing dignity or consent."

I study Jeane's sketch with a practiced eye, ignoring the insinuation in her tone. Temporary modifications? Shared exertion? I see exactly what kind of 'exertion' she means. The building wants us together for this—there has to be an engineering solution that doesn't involve... whatever this is supposed to be. I circle the sketch slowly, hands behind my back. A moment later: I grab a piece of reinforced steel and a welder from the pile of materials in the corner. This might work better than your collaborative sculpture project.