Thunder-striking Wizard Thrasher

“I got freaks NINE days out of the week — I CAN GET MORE.”

“….—only seven days in a week.”

…

At the beginning of the conversation, Day is exhibiting some shame in his body language. Some respect even, as he follows protocol and adresses Cleon I in an appropriate and expected manner. (Thanking him for his life, introducing himself etc.) He clearly doesn't want to be here. He rejects the whole dynasty and now he needs to talk with the man who created it in the first place. The reason he is stuck in this life. (I like to think that there maybe is some jealousy too. Cleon I is the original. The only one who could lead a relatively free life as an INDIVIDUAL. Something he yearns for and has been robbed of.)

But the grudging respect and reluctance quickly leave him as he learns about the genocide Cleon I commited on the people of the Inheritance. He looks DISGUSTED as he learns of it. Disappointed but not surprised.

Then the most important piece of dialogue: "Did Demerzel love you back? I'd be surprised. It's a mashine and we're hardly worth loving. (The way he hones into it, almost mocking him. That man, that individual fell in love with a robot? A mashine that can't even love back in his estimation? This is what his ancestor wasted his time and individuality with?) All the residual respect he had for Cleon I is gone and he spits at his feet, confirming that 'the dream' does in fact not live on in him.

There is some deep self-hatred inside of of him and I think he's the only Cleon who is brave enough to verbalize it. (It came up the first time when he was gambling with the Claviger who told him that: "He can love himself." as they talked about a new Dawn being born soon. There was just this beat of silence and no answer from Day. He cannot and does not love himself. But what he can do is loving someone, choosing to love someone and that is Song.)

"You may have overstated the resemblance."