The golem's neutral blue mouth-line formed a polite, questioning curve. "Please select your current emotional state from the pre-approved list of sanctioned moods," it chimed pleasantly.
Gilda, still trembling with another helpless fit of laughter, stared at the wheel through tear-blurred eyes. Her finger wobbled between two sections—one labeled Mildly Content and the other Cooperatively Amused—before she collapsed into another burst of laughter so hard she had to lean on Zazu for support.
The golem waited a polite three seconds before repeating its request in the exact same toneless voice. "Please select your current emotional state from the pre-approved list of sanctioned moods."
"She can't answer!" Pip hissed. "What do we do?"
"Her feeling is not on their chart," Zazu murmured, his face a mixture of concern and quiet interest.
