It didn't help that Brainy's version of Colu and Coluans was entirely different as well. He had to remind himself of what he knew of other humanoid species and how they raised their children, not to mention important developmental periods, to see how that might be a problem for his counterpart.

"I... think I understand," he said hesitantly. "You didn't like either of them, so you didn't care about their wellbeing. And if they hadn't been in your way, it might have even made things easier for you." He didn't like to say it so plainly, but he was nearly certain that was how it worked.

"Whereas on my Colu, it's normal to be raised with minimal contact. Emotions are almost non-existent."