[Mmmmhmmm. Van doesn't look up from the work he's returned to at the counter, slicing up a chicken breast and dropping the pieces in a bowl of marinade. The words that have just come out of Asch's mouth are apparently so clueless, a dead bird is more worthy of his master's attention than he is.

When he does respond, the low, caressing purr of the tone is at complete odds with the implications of the words.]

Don't you think you'd have been more useful, if I'd kept you as stupid as your replica? When I brought you to Daath, I didn't need another soldier.

You were always my favorite. I had such hopes for you.