[ Matt doesn't actually know how to answer that question. His first impulse, this is the most personal thing that's ever happened to me ... does make sense, of a sort, but not the right kind of sense. Did he take the remark the wrong way? Maybe. Maybe Gen only meant to be macho and self-sufficient, and the derision Matt imagined is all on him. Then again, this is the second of two times Gen's started an interaction threatening violence.

For a moment, he breathes. Even, deep, following the patterns he knows will soothe his limbs and slow his heartbeat. Not enough--nothing is ever enough to appease his missing fingers. But after a moment, he judges: better. ]

There's no reason for you to have to learn from zero, [ Matt says. He sounds a bit arch, but he feels calmer. ] Building character through suffering is great and all, but there's more than enough of that to go around, don't you think?