"Nothing short of perfection is 'good enough'," he bit back, irratation seeping into his tone--because as much as he claimed emotionlessness, it was still present, and he couldn't conceal it as much as he wanted to. "Anything else is settling for ruin. You ought to understand that, knowing as much of the ancient world as you do, and yet you disregard it in favor of your own sentimentality."

He sighed, heavy with frustration. "...but I do not suppose that means anything to you. What I say falls on willfully deaf ears. All I have tried to teach you..."