[ "The potential" is a neat way of phrasing it, stitching his knowledge of AIDA and Ophelia together. It's almost reassuring to hear, prompting a little nod of agreement. Sentient all along, if unable to act without restraint. It means she shares responsibility for their work together and its consequences.

Fitz's hand slides along the railing as they traverse the bridge, stopping halfway through. Rather than look at the water, he leans back to face Markus and crosses his arms loosely. The premise of the conversation is inherently intimate, built upon their own with philosophical presuppositions and personal backgrounds. To his knowledge, there are others like Ophelia and Markus — hell, there are androids turned Avengers out there. Markus' sentiments may be more advanced than the general populace, but they're what he'd been hoping to hear, when he reached out in the first place.

His is a biased perspective, maybe, but a thoughtful one. ]

I think you're right about it all. Sentience, choice. [ A beat. ] But I only helped because she asked. [ To say he did it for #androidrights would be disingenuous. ] Didn't even really understand what I was doing, at the time. She'd been helping me for so long, and I just...

[ Well, if he's going to discuss the subject honestly with anyone, it might as well be this person, positioned at the juncture of android and human. ]

I loved her. [ clearing his throat. ] So, that was the primary factor.