Mingjue shrugged one shoulder at the 'Thank you?' without any apparent realization that he'd said anything strange. As he gathered up his clothes, however, he said, "You're welcome to. Pinch me, that is. Might be worthwhile."

He waved a hand at the bruises on his shoulders and forearms already turning from red to mottled blue from where the robots had retaliated enough that he'd deemed tactical retreat to be wise.

"Pain from things here didn't seem to do anything before, though." He stuck out his arm, reading for pinching. "So maybe pain won't help. But if it doesn't wake me up. I want a better look at you."