[The urge to confess fills her for a moment, so strong she nearly bites her tongue to swallow it down. Instead, she musters up a smile. Technically, it is perfect, but something about it sits not-quite-right on her face.]

Sentient AI are configured differently where I'm from. Ships-- [Her throat tightens for a brief moment, betraying her. She swallows and continues.] Ships have bodies they use as their eyes and hands, but a lone ancillary would be... unusual.