[Maeve snorts, a sharp huff of air that's very nearly amused. Settling her chin on her fist, she hums in thought for a moment before she speaks.]

Would it surprise you to know that I agree?

[Because, well, obviously. They're there to help and they're clearly strangers. Hell, it's their designation among the Blood.]

I have a suspicion that these programs aren't actually for us, and that if we reveal ourselves to be Strangers, then we're either going to make immediate friends or immediate enemies and Protocol isn't going to help us.

Honestly, [Her tone turns musing.] I'm not sure it's manners so much as...they're not human.