[Root rinses her hair for the second time, running her fingers through the wet strands. She blinks at both Shaw's words and her tone, slightly surprised that she sounds so annoyed. Shockingly enough, Root didn't want to use reverse psychology this time, unlike what happened during their fight: she was simply stating a fact, and she didn't want to offend the other woman. Oh, she has no problem trolling or even offending other people, but only when she means to do so; she doesn't want to be a little shit accidentally.]

I don't want you to. You're one of our best pilots, and I would never disrespect you and your career by using you as a tool.

[It's the truth. Is she curious about what it's like to Drift with S. Shaw? Absolutely. Would she use her like she used those novice pilots, as a means to achieve an end? Never.

Root sighs. She doesn't kiss and tell, and she has always kept the Machine's secrets, but she's starting to think that the other woman needs to know a little more about this situation so she can understand everything a little better.]

I can't choose my hypothetical partner, Sameen, and neither can our bosses: only She can make that decision. [Root turns the water off and stands there for a moment, pondering how much she can-- and should-- reveal.] None of my previous co-pilots have been actual partners because She thought they weren't good enough for me, or for Her.

[Every Jaeger is lifeless, devoid of anything but metal, hydraulics, and basic Jaeger programming... except for the Machine. The truth is that, inside that metal skeleton and all of its components, the Machine isn't an empty shell at all.]