"Hehe, I can understand that. Stellar thinks like me, but isn't as honest, both to others and to herself. Kinda like what Ike was asking me to become back there. If my thought style scares you, hers is probably terrifying. Still, I'm pretty sure she won't betray you or D on this. If she even gets the chance. Like I said, she isn't comfortable modifying me.What about Charlie though?"
"I've never taken orders well River. You ask for me to do what you say without question, but the only time you'll actually get me to do that is when there is an immediate threat. Like when you said for us to remove our comwires during the ashwraith attack. But most of the time? I... kinda need a reason for what you want me to do if you want me to actually do it. What I do is largely about creativity. If I don't understand what you want and why, I can't do a good job."
I pause for a moment. and wow this eye to eye thing is going long.
"River, you've tried to physically dominate me several times. I don't think you understand. It doesn't matter that you're bigger and stronger than me. Everyone is bigger and stronger than me. Everyone has been bigger and stronger than me my whole life. It doesn't matter, it never has, and it never will. You can scare me, but you won't intimidate me. Right now, there's no practical difference between how we're standing, and you having your teeth on my throat. I'm out of firepower, weak, and compared to you really slow. I also chose to put myself in this situation willingly, because we needed to talk. Stop trying to make me subservient, I may have stepped down, but I bow to no one, no matter their strength."
and still, my voice is actually kinda cheerful. it's a touch unnatural and forced, but not much.