Qubit doesn't answer. He doesn't have an answer for her.
Oh, an answer exists. But he can't give her one she'll accept in twenty words or less. What's he supposed to say? It's an early warning system in case my checkered past comes back to haunt me? Even if he were willing to open that can of worms right now (or ever), even if he had the time or obligation to explain himself, even if he trusted Patch with that sort of information - even then, all she'd do is get hung up on its stupid ears or something. It's the absolute least important detail she could have chosen to fixate on and it's driving him crazy.
It wouldn't matter what he says, he finds himself deciding. She wouldn't understand, anyway. And he doesn't owe her an answer. He doesn't owe her anything.
1/2
Oh, an answer exists. But he can't give her one she'll accept in twenty words or less. What's he supposed to say? It's an early warning system in case my checkered past comes back to haunt me? Even if he were willing to open that can of worms right now (or ever), even if he had the time or obligation to explain himself, even if he trusted Patch with that sort of information - even then, all she'd do is get hung up on its stupid ears or something. It's the absolute least important detail she could have chosen to fixate on and it's driving him crazy.
It wouldn't matter what he says, he finds himself deciding. She wouldn't understand, anyway. And he doesn't owe her an answer. He doesn't owe her anything.