She likes pain

What was she excited about, again? "Handling pain?"

You take a closer look at her relaxed, panting, sweat-soaked body. There are a few small scars on her upper arms and a few on her thighs, some of which might not be from razor blades. There are definitely at least a few scars on her back, near the bra line, that are from blades.

That's a new one to you. "I've heard of masochism, but why are there scars on your back? That doesn't seem like a popular place."

"Well, this is a bit cringe, but when it's time to throw a bra away I like to cut it off with a knife. I touch myself and pretend I'm being violently ****. It's hard to do smoothly so it made some ugly scars, but it's... Look, it's not easy for me to get off." She lets out a long sigh and sits up. "Or it wasn't. Maybe I shouldn't have hated tourists for so long."

You look at her seat, where there's blood smeared on the leather.

She follows your gaze. "Don't worry about that. There's a convenience store near here with an old man who has learned not to ask questions when I shop for first aid supplies."

You do worry about that. You are starting to worry about several things, in fact. How much damage did you do to her mind? Was she dangerous before you went to work? Is she better or worse now? Can you fix her? Should you fix her?

"Listen, I think you're tougher than most girls, but..." OH GOD FUCK SHIT NO WHY WHAT, that was--

Dolores grabs your throat sharply and then lets go. You don't see it coming, and in your shock you cough violently for a few seconds.

Your head still hurts, but you're awake. "Why are you looking so proud and what the fuck?"

She smiles smugly. "Coughing during pain distracts from it, and the sudden change in blood pressure also lessens the pain. It's a trick I use when I go too far."

It worked, so you can't complain. You have a migraine from Hell but you are awake. It just doesn't make sense, you obviously meant "tough" in a physical way.

Wait, that was a physical idea before you came, too. It was also about yourself.

You can change yourself?

You can change biology?

Holy shit.