Phantom Hollow Surprise! Can I sleep over?

She observed him, wanting to know what was truly going on in that head of his. The mask that was sown onto his face, quite literally, she wanted it to fall off. She wanted to remove those fucking stitches, make him bleed so that he would come to his senses. That charcoal, stoic mask he had on, that mask that was a part of him, she wanted to rip it to pieces. 

She listened closely to his words, worrying more and more. So he just worked? He just wanted to work till it all ended? What kind of way to die is that? So you just try to avoid your pain? By working harder and harder till nothing's left? She questioned him. That he was still not totally going bonkers was a miracle. She could not understand him, probably never would. But that made him interesting. Others she could read easily, or were just so open about themselves. Burke was neither. She didn't even dare to ask who this other female might be. She was not going to change the subject now. Their eyes met, and she could understand his confused, questioning gaze. She was a weird creature as well.

Ever thought of changing that? Changing yourself? She asked, almost whispering her words. She had changed herself, why couldn't he? He just needed the right motivation, someone to yell at him when he was doing something wrong. She found herself quite fit for the job.