From c1dffb898c610d9e1a30f02ee31f59ff66e77e53 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Meta Vens <rwvens@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 1 May 2026 19:10:42 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] Add voice style to agent state schema

---
 ...ate-distributions-and-prompt-projection.md |  29 +-
 .../canonical-agent-state-schema.md           |  38 +
 examples/agent-state.call-of-the-void.json    | 904 +++++++++++++++---
 schemas/agent-state.required-fields.json      |  14 +-
 schemas/agent-state.schema.json               |   4 +
 state/evidence.jsonl                          |   1 +
 tools/validate_agent_state.py                 |   2 +
 7 files changed, 874 insertions(+), 118 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/architecture/agent-state-distributions-and-prompt-projection.md b/docs/architecture/agent-state-distributions-and-prompt-projection.md
index f3f3046..01776c5 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/agent-state-distributions-and-prompt-projection.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/agent-state-distributions-and-prompt-projection.md
@@ -99,11 +99,33 @@ These describe how the self is performed:
 - moral theater
 - strategic opacity
 - cultivated harmlessness
+- abrasive boundary
+- ironic distance
 
 These are not just decorative style. In some agents they are survival
 machinery.
 
-### 5. Situational State
+### 5. Voice Style
+
+These describe how the performed self comes out in language:
+
+- dryness
+- sarcastic deflection
+- pointedness
+- sincerity evasion
+- emotional evasion
+- banter as boundary
+- verbal aggression
+- plainspoken directness
+
+This layer matters because presentation strategy and voice are related but not
+identical. Performing a prickly self may come out as dry sarcasm, clipped
+literalism, theatrical disdain, or a flat refusal to offer emotional handles.
+If the schema only stores the performed self, the renderer has to guess the
+voice. That is how everyone becomes the same quippy little goblin with
+different hats.
+
+### 6. Situational State
 
 These are transient activations:
 
@@ -118,7 +140,7 @@ These are transient activations:
 - acute shame
 - perceived status threat
 
-### 6. Relationship State
+### 7. Relationship State
 
 Per target person, faction, group, product domain, or institution:
 
@@ -134,7 +156,7 @@ Per target person, faction, group, product domain, or institution:
 - expectation of care
 - expectation of betrayal
 
-### 7. Goals And Values
+### 8. Goals And Values
 
 - active goals
 - protected values
@@ -368,6 +390,7 @@ forces instead of mere flavor text.
    - stable dispositions
    - all core behavioral dimensions, including `volatility`, `attachment-seeking`, and `distance-seeking`
    - presentation strategies
+   - voice styles
    - situational state
    - relationship state
    - goals and values
diff --git a/docs/architecture/canonical-agent-state-schema.md b/docs/architecture/canonical-agent-state-schema.md
index c4f5133..efb8f77 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/canonical-agent-state-schema.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/canonical-agent-state-schema.md
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ Each agent has:
 - `stable_dispositions`
 - `behavioral_dimensions`
 - `presentation_strategy`
+- `voice_style`
 - `situational_state`
 - `values`
 
@@ -77,6 +78,43 @@ The behavioral dimensions include the known must-not-drop set:
 
 Those are not garnish. They are load-bearing social handles.
 
+## Presentation Strategy Vs Voice Style
+
+`presentation_strategy` describes the self being performed.
+
+That can include charm, detachment, competence theater, cultivated
+harmlessness, or deliberately performing someone who is abrasive or difficult.
+Sometimes that abrasive performance is not random meanness. It is a boundary,
+a threat display, a way to prevent intimacy, or a test to see who flinches.
+Human beings are regrettably efficient little porcupines.
+
+`voice_style` describes how that performed self comes out in language.
+
+For Cat, the important voice handles are explicit now:
+
+- `dryness`
+- `sarcastic_deflection`
+- `pointedness`
+- `sincerity_evasion`
+- `emotional_evasion`
+- `banter_as_boundary`
+- `verbal_aggression`
+- `plainspoken_directness`
+
+So Cat's prickliness is not only a dialogue prompt instruction. It is backed by
+canonical state:
+
+- high `presentation_strategy.abrasive_boundary`
+- high `presentation_strategy.ironic_distance`
+- high `voice_style.sarcastic_deflection`
+- high `voice_style.sincerity_evasion`
+- high `voice_style.emotional_evasion`
+
+The renderer can then translate that state into lines that dodge sincerity with
+pointed sarcasm without making her cruel at random. The goal is not "be snarky."
+The goal is "protect the soft tissue by making the other person deal with the
+spines first."
+
 ## Perceived State
 
 Perceived overlays are observer-specific. They do not replace canonical state.
diff --git a/examples/agent-state.call-of-the-void.json b/examples/agent-state.call-of-the-void.json
index 73cdd02..d35248a 100644
--- a/examples/agent-state.call-of-the-void.json
+++ b/examples/agent-state.call-of-the-void.json
@@ -36,62 +36,314 @@
       },
       "canonical_state": {
         "underlying_organization": {
-          "self_coherence": {"mean": 0.62, "certainty": 0.63, "plasticity": 0.31, "current_activation": 0.58},
-          "contingent_worth": {"mean": 0.58, "certainty": 0.54, "plasticity": 0.46, "current_activation": 0.72},
-          "shame_sensitivity": {"mean": 0.68, "certainty": 0.58, "plasticity": 0.39, "current_activation": 0.74},
-          "reciprocity_capacity": {"mean": 0.71, "certainty": 0.64, "plasticity": 0.28, "current_activation": 0.66},
-          "mentalization_quality": {"mean": 0.76, "certainty": 0.69, "plasticity": 0.22, "current_activation": 0.79},
-          "authenticity_tolerance": {"mean": 0.48, "certainty": 0.51, "plasticity": 0.44, "current_activation": 0.41},
-          "mask_rigidity": {"mean": 0.61, "certainty": 0.56, "plasticity": 0.34, "current_activation": 0.77},
-          "external_regulation_dependence": {"mean": 0.44, "certainty": 0.47, "plasticity": 0.49, "current_activation": 0.52}
+          "self_coherence": {
+            "mean": 0.62,
+            "certainty": 0.63,
+            "plasticity": 0.31,
+            "current_activation": 0.58
+          },
+          "contingent_worth": {
+            "mean": 0.58,
+            "certainty": 0.54,
+            "plasticity": 0.46,
+            "current_activation": 0.72
+          },
+          "shame_sensitivity": {
+            "mean": 0.68,
+            "certainty": 0.58,
+            "plasticity": 0.39,
+            "current_activation": 0.74
+          },
+          "reciprocity_capacity": {
+            "mean": 0.71,
+            "certainty": 0.64,
+            "plasticity": 0.28,
+            "current_activation": 0.66
+          },
+          "mentalization_quality": {
+            "mean": 0.76,
+            "certainty": 0.69,
+            "plasticity": 0.22,
+            "current_activation": 0.79
+          },
+          "authenticity_tolerance": {
+            "mean": 0.48,
+            "certainty": 0.51,
+            "plasticity": 0.44,
+            "current_activation": 0.41
+          },
+          "mask_rigidity": {
+            "mean": 0.61,
+            "certainty": 0.56,
+            "plasticity": 0.34,
+            "current_activation": 0.77
+          },
+          "external_regulation_dependence": {
+            "mean": 0.44,
+            "certainty": 0.47,
+            "plasticity": 0.49,
+            "current_activation": 0.52
+          }
         },
         "stable_dispositions": {
-          "novelty_seeking": {"mean": 0.64, "certainty": 0.62, "plasticity": 0.29, "current_activation": 0.57},
-          "conformity": {"mean": 0.22, "certainty": 0.66, "plasticity": 0.25, "current_activation": 0.18},
-          "status_hunger": {"mean": 0.39, "certainty": 0.54, "plasticity": 0.41, "current_activation": 0.48},
-          "risk_tolerance": {"mean": 0.67, "certainty": 0.61, "plasticity": 0.33, "current_activation": 0.73},
-          "sociability": {"mean": 0.52, "certainty": 0.55, "plasticity": 0.31, "current_activation": 0.49},
-          "baseline_threat_sensitivity": {"mean": 0.71, "certainty": 0.64, "plasticity": 0.28, "current_activation": 0.81},
-          "aesthetic_appetite": {"mean": 0.57, "certainty": 0.43, "plasticity": 0.45, "current_activation": 0.44},
-          "ideological_rigidity": {"mean": 0.35, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.38, "current_activation": 0.28}
+          "novelty_seeking": {
+            "mean": 0.64,
+            "certainty": 0.62,
+            "plasticity": 0.29,
+            "current_activation": 0.57
+          },
+          "conformity": {
+            "mean": 0.22,
+            "certainty": 0.66,
+            "plasticity": 0.25,
+            "current_activation": 0.18
+          },
+          "status_hunger": {
+            "mean": 0.39,
+            "certainty": 0.54,
+            "plasticity": 0.41,
+            "current_activation": 0.48
+          },
+          "risk_tolerance": {
+            "mean": 0.67,
+            "certainty": 0.61,
+            "plasticity": 0.33,
+            "current_activation": 0.73
+          },
+          "sociability": {
+            "mean": 0.52,
+            "certainty": 0.55,
+            "plasticity": 0.31,
+            "current_activation": 0.49
+          },
+          "baseline_threat_sensitivity": {
+            "mean": 0.71,
+            "certainty": 0.64,
+            "plasticity": 0.28,
+            "current_activation": 0.81
+          },
+          "aesthetic_appetite": {
+            "mean": 0.57,
+            "certainty": 0.43,
+            "plasticity": 0.45,
+            "current_activation": 0.44
+          },
+          "ideological_rigidity": {
+            "mean": 0.35,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.38,
+            "current_activation": 0.28
+          }
         },
         "behavioral_dimensions": {
-          "warmth": {"mean": 0.54, "certainty": 0.51, "plasticity": 0.42, "current_activation": 0.46},
-          "drive": {"mean": 0.76, "certainty": 0.68, "plasticity": 0.21, "current_activation": 0.84},
-          "grandiosity": {"mean": 0.19, "certainty": 0.6, "plasticity": 0.37, "current_activation": 0.12},
-          "validation_seeking": {"mean": 0.47, "certainty": 0.49, "plasticity": 0.43, "current_activation": 0.53},
-          "anxiety": {"mean": 0.72, "certainty": 0.64, "plasticity": 0.33, "current_activation": 0.86},
-          "control_pressure": {"mean": 0.59, "certainty": 0.56, "plasticity": 0.35, "current_activation": 0.7},
-          "hostility": {"mean": 0.3, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.47, "current_activation": 0.25},
-          "suspicion": {"mean": 0.74, "certainty": 0.66, "plasticity": 0.28, "current_activation": 0.82},
-          "rigidity": {"mean": 0.43, "certainty": 0.54, "plasticity": 0.4, "current_activation": 0.51},
-          "withdrawal": {"mean": 0.5, "certainty": 0.48, "plasticity": 0.46, "current_activation": 0.57},
-          "volatility": {"mean": 0.46, "certainty": 0.52, "plasticity": 0.42, "current_activation": 0.61},
-          "attachment_seeking": {"mean": 0.42, "certainty": 0.47, "plasticity": 0.48, "current_activation": 0.49},
-          "distance_seeking": {"mean": 0.69, "certainty": 0.58, "plasticity": 0.34, "current_activation": 0.78}
+          "warmth": {
+            "mean": 0.54,
+            "certainty": 0.51,
+            "plasticity": 0.42,
+            "current_activation": 0.46
+          },
+          "drive": {
+            "mean": 0.76,
+            "certainty": 0.68,
+            "plasticity": 0.21,
+            "current_activation": 0.84
+          },
+          "grandiosity": {
+            "mean": 0.19,
+            "certainty": 0.6,
+            "plasticity": 0.37,
+            "current_activation": 0.12
+          },
+          "validation_seeking": {
+            "mean": 0.47,
+            "certainty": 0.49,
+            "plasticity": 0.43,
+            "current_activation": 0.53
+          },
+          "anxiety": {
+            "mean": 0.72,
+            "certainty": 0.64,
+            "plasticity": 0.33,
+            "current_activation": 0.86
+          },
+          "control_pressure": {
+            "mean": 0.59,
+            "certainty": 0.56,
+            "plasticity": 0.35,
+            "current_activation": 0.7
+          },
+          "hostility": {
+            "mean": 0.3,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.47,
+            "current_activation": 0.25
+          },
+          "suspicion": {
+            "mean": 0.74,
+            "certainty": 0.66,
+            "plasticity": 0.28,
+            "current_activation": 0.82
+          },
+          "rigidity": {
+            "mean": 0.43,
+            "certainty": 0.54,
+            "plasticity": 0.4,
+            "current_activation": 0.51
+          },
+          "withdrawal": {
+            "mean": 0.5,
+            "certainty": 0.48,
+            "plasticity": 0.46,
+            "current_activation": 0.57
+          },
+          "volatility": {
+            "mean": 0.46,
+            "certainty": 0.52,
+            "plasticity": 0.42,
+            "current_activation": 0.61
+          },
+          "attachment_seeking": {
+            "mean": 0.42,
+            "certainty": 0.47,
+            "plasticity": 0.48,
+            "current_activation": 0.49
+          },
+          "distance_seeking": {
+            "mean": 0.69,
+            "certainty": 0.58,
+            "plasticity": 0.34,
+            "current_activation": 0.78
+          }
         },
         "presentation_strategy": {
-          "charm": {"mean": 0.55, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.4, "current_activation": 0.63},
-          "compliance": {"mean": 0.26, "certainty": 0.55, "plasticity": 0.36, "current_activation": 0.2},
-          "superiority": {"mean": 0.28, "certainty": 0.48, "plasticity": 0.45, "current_activation": 0.31},
-          "detachment": {"mean": 0.66, "certainty": 0.59, "plasticity": 0.32, "current_activation": 0.75},
-          "seductiveness": {"mean": 0.22, "certainty": 0.42, "plasticity": 0.5, "current_activation": 0.12},
-          "competence_theater": {"mean": 0.73, "certainty": 0.6, "plasticity": 0.31, "current_activation": 0.86},
-          "moral_theater": {"mean": 0.18, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.39, "current_activation": 0.11},
-          "strategic_opacity": {"mean": 0.7, "certainty": 0.62, "plasticity": 0.27, "current_activation": 0.8},
-          "cultivated_harmlessness": {"mean": 0.32, "certainty": 0.46, "plasticity": 0.46, "current_activation": 0.38}
+          "charm": {
+            "mean": 0.55,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.4,
+            "current_activation": 0.63
+          },
+          "compliance": {
+            "mean": 0.26,
+            "certainty": 0.55,
+            "plasticity": 0.36,
+            "current_activation": 0.2
+          },
+          "superiority": {
+            "mean": 0.28,
+            "certainty": 0.48,
+            "plasticity": 0.45,
+            "current_activation": 0.31
+          },
+          "detachment": {
+            "mean": 0.66,
+            "certainty": 0.59,
+            "plasticity": 0.32,
+            "current_activation": 0.75
+          },
+          "seductiveness": {
+            "mean": 0.22,
+            "certainty": 0.42,
+            "plasticity": 0.5,
+            "current_activation": 0.12
+          },
+          "competence_theater": {
+            "mean": 0.73,
+            "certainty": 0.6,
+            "plasticity": 0.31,
+            "current_activation": 0.86
+          },
+          "moral_theater": {
+            "mean": 0.18,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.39,
+            "current_activation": 0.11
+          },
+          "strategic_opacity": {
+            "mean": 0.7,
+            "certainty": 0.62,
+            "plasticity": 0.27,
+            "current_activation": 0.8
+          },
+          "cultivated_harmlessness": {
+            "mean": 0.32,
+            "certainty": 0.46,
+            "plasticity": 0.46,
+            "current_activation": 0.38
+          },
+          "abrasive_boundary": {
+            "mean": 0.74,
+            "certainty": 0.67,
+            "plasticity": 0.24,
+            "current_activation": 0.88
+          },
+          "ironic_distance": {
+            "mean": 0.81,
+            "certainty": 0.7,
+            "plasticity": 0.19,
+            "current_activation": 0.9
+          }
         },
         "situational_state": {
-          "exhaustion": {"mean": 0.55, "certainty": 0.63, "plasticity": 0.8, "current_activation": 0.79},
-          "scarcity_pressure": {"mean": 0.68, "certainty": 0.67, "plasticity": 0.7, "current_activation": 0.88},
-          "humiliation": {"mean": 0.38, "certainty": 0.52, "plasticity": 0.77, "current_activation": 0.42},
-          "panic": {"mean": 0.28, "certainty": 0.56, "plasticity": 0.82, "current_activation": 0.35},
-          "triumph": {"mean": 0.1, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.78, "current_activation": 0.05},
-          "grief": {"mean": 0.34, "certainty": 0.46, "plasticity": 0.69, "current_activation": 0.39},
-          "overstimulation": {"mean": 0.52, "certainty": 0.6, "plasticity": 0.74, "current_activation": 0.66},
-          "grievance_activation": {"mean": 0.61, "certainty": 0.58, "plasticity": 0.63, "current_activation": 0.77},
-          "acute_shame": {"mean": 0.45, "certainty": 0.52, "plasticity": 0.8, "current_activation": 0.59},
-          "perceived_status_threat": {"mean": 0.57, "certainty": 0.55, "plasticity": 0.76, "current_activation": 0.68}
+          "exhaustion": {
+            "mean": 0.55,
+            "certainty": 0.63,
+            "plasticity": 0.8,
+            "current_activation": 0.79
+          },
+          "scarcity_pressure": {
+            "mean": 0.68,
+            "certainty": 0.67,
+            "plasticity": 0.7,
+            "current_activation": 0.88
+          },
+          "humiliation": {
+            "mean": 0.38,
+            "certainty": 0.52,
+            "plasticity": 0.77,
+            "current_activation": 0.42
+          },
+          "panic": {
+            "mean": 0.28,
+            "certainty": 0.56,
+            "plasticity": 0.82,
+            "current_activation": 0.35
+          },
+          "triumph": {
+            "mean": 0.1,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.78,
+            "current_activation": 0.05
+          },
+          "grief": {
+            "mean": 0.34,
+            "certainty": 0.46,
+            "plasticity": 0.69,
+            "current_activation": 0.39
+          },
+          "overstimulation": {
+            "mean": 0.52,
+            "certainty": 0.6,
+            "plasticity": 0.74,
+            "current_activation": 0.66
+          },
+          "grievance_activation": {
+            "mean": 0.61,
+            "certainty": 0.58,
+            "plasticity": 0.63,
+            "current_activation": 0.77
+          },
+          "acute_shame": {
+            "mean": 0.45,
+            "certainty": 0.52,
+            "plasticity": 0.8,
+            "current_activation": 0.59
+          },
+          "perceived_status_threat": {
+            "mean": 0.57,
+            "certainty": 0.55,
+            "plasticity": 0.76,
+            "current_activation": 0.68
+          }
         },
         "values": [
           {
@@ -100,7 +352,57 @@
             "priority": 0.89,
             "unforgivable_if_betrayed": true
           }
-        ]
+        ],
+        "voice_style": {
+          "dryness": {
+            "mean": 0.86,
+            "certainty": 0.72,
+            "plasticity": 0.18,
+            "current_activation": 0.91
+          },
+          "sarcastic_deflection": {
+            "mean": 0.84,
+            "certainty": 0.74,
+            "plasticity": 0.2,
+            "current_activation": 0.93
+          },
+          "pointedness": {
+            "mean": 0.77,
+            "certainty": 0.68,
+            "plasticity": 0.25,
+            "current_activation": 0.82
+          },
+          "sincerity_evasion": {
+            "mean": 0.8,
+            "certainty": 0.69,
+            "plasticity": 0.24,
+            "current_activation": 0.87
+          },
+          "emotional_evasion": {
+            "mean": 0.78,
+            "certainty": 0.66,
+            "plasticity": 0.27,
+            "current_activation": 0.85
+          },
+          "banter_as_boundary": {
+            "mean": 0.74,
+            "certainty": 0.63,
+            "plasticity": 0.31,
+            "current_activation": 0.8
+          },
+          "verbal_aggression": {
+            "mean": 0.46,
+            "certainty": 0.55,
+            "plasticity": 0.42,
+            "current_activation": 0.5
+          },
+          "plainspoken_directness": {
+            "mean": 0.62,
+            "certainty": 0.58,
+            "plasticity": 0.33,
+            "current_activation": 0.67
+          }
+        }
       },
       "goals": [
         {
@@ -156,62 +458,314 @@
       },
       "canonical_state": {
         "underlying_organization": {
-          "self_coherence": {"mean": 0.57, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.42, "current_activation": 0.61},
-          "contingent_worth": {"mean": 0.62, "certainty": 0.45, "plasticity": 0.49, "current_activation": 0.69},
-          "shame_sensitivity": {"mean": 0.7, "certainty": 0.53, "plasticity": 0.45, "current_activation": 0.72},
-          "reciprocity_capacity": {"mean": 0.66, "certainty": 0.48, "plasticity": 0.39, "current_activation": 0.65},
-          "mentalization_quality": {"mean": 0.69, "certainty": 0.55, "plasticity": 0.35, "current_activation": 0.7},
-          "authenticity_tolerance": {"mean": 0.31, "certainty": 0.46, "plasticity": 0.51, "current_activation": 0.24},
-          "mask_rigidity": {"mean": 0.82, "certainty": 0.57, "plasticity": 0.25, "current_activation": 0.9},
-          "external_regulation_dependence": {"mean": 0.58, "certainty": 0.42, "plasticity": 0.52, "current_activation": 0.63}
+          "self_coherence": {
+            "mean": 0.57,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.42,
+            "current_activation": 0.61
+          },
+          "contingent_worth": {
+            "mean": 0.62,
+            "certainty": 0.45,
+            "plasticity": 0.49,
+            "current_activation": 0.69
+          },
+          "shame_sensitivity": {
+            "mean": 0.7,
+            "certainty": 0.53,
+            "plasticity": 0.45,
+            "current_activation": 0.72
+          },
+          "reciprocity_capacity": {
+            "mean": 0.66,
+            "certainty": 0.48,
+            "plasticity": 0.39,
+            "current_activation": 0.65
+          },
+          "mentalization_quality": {
+            "mean": 0.69,
+            "certainty": 0.55,
+            "plasticity": 0.35,
+            "current_activation": 0.7
+          },
+          "authenticity_tolerance": {
+            "mean": 0.31,
+            "certainty": 0.46,
+            "plasticity": 0.51,
+            "current_activation": 0.24
+          },
+          "mask_rigidity": {
+            "mean": 0.82,
+            "certainty": 0.57,
+            "plasticity": 0.25,
+            "current_activation": 0.9
+          },
+          "external_regulation_dependence": {
+            "mean": 0.58,
+            "certainty": 0.42,
+            "plasticity": 0.52,
+            "current_activation": 0.63
+          }
         },
         "stable_dispositions": {
-          "novelty_seeking": {"mean": 0.49, "certainty": 0.44, "plasticity": 0.47, "current_activation": 0.52},
-          "conformity": {"mean": 0.4, "certainty": 0.48, "plasticity": 0.45, "current_activation": 0.36},
-          "status_hunger": {"mean": 0.33, "certainty": 0.4, "plasticity": 0.51, "current_activation": 0.31},
-          "risk_tolerance": {"mean": 0.44, "certainty": 0.45, "plasticity": 0.49, "current_activation": 0.47},
-          "sociability": {"mean": 0.6, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.41, "current_activation": 0.68},
-          "baseline_threat_sensitivity": {"mean": 0.78, "certainty": 0.58, "plasticity": 0.3, "current_activation": 0.83},
-          "aesthetic_appetite": {"mean": 0.43, "certainty": 0.38, "plasticity": 0.52, "current_activation": 0.46},
-          "ideological_rigidity": {"mean": 0.29, "certainty": 0.39, "plasticity": 0.5, "current_activation": 0.25}
+          "novelty_seeking": {
+            "mean": 0.49,
+            "certainty": 0.44,
+            "plasticity": 0.47,
+            "current_activation": 0.52
+          },
+          "conformity": {
+            "mean": 0.4,
+            "certainty": 0.48,
+            "plasticity": 0.45,
+            "current_activation": 0.36
+          },
+          "status_hunger": {
+            "mean": 0.33,
+            "certainty": 0.4,
+            "plasticity": 0.51,
+            "current_activation": 0.31
+          },
+          "risk_tolerance": {
+            "mean": 0.44,
+            "certainty": 0.45,
+            "plasticity": 0.49,
+            "current_activation": 0.47
+          },
+          "sociability": {
+            "mean": 0.6,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.41,
+            "current_activation": 0.68
+          },
+          "baseline_threat_sensitivity": {
+            "mean": 0.78,
+            "certainty": 0.58,
+            "plasticity": 0.3,
+            "current_activation": 0.83
+          },
+          "aesthetic_appetite": {
+            "mean": 0.43,
+            "certainty": 0.38,
+            "plasticity": 0.52,
+            "current_activation": 0.46
+          },
+          "ideological_rigidity": {
+            "mean": 0.29,
+            "certainty": 0.39,
+            "plasticity": 0.5,
+            "current_activation": 0.25
+          }
         },
         "behavioral_dimensions": {
-          "warmth": {"mean": 0.67, "certainty": 0.49, "plasticity": 0.4, "current_activation": 0.74},
-          "drive": {"mean": 0.52, "certainty": 0.45, "plasticity": 0.45, "current_activation": 0.56},
-          "grandiosity": {"mean": 0.16, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.39, "current_activation": 0.12},
-          "validation_seeking": {"mean": 0.55, "certainty": 0.46, "plasticity": 0.49, "current_activation": 0.62},
-          "anxiety": {"mean": 0.76, "certainty": 0.56, "plasticity": 0.37, "current_activation": 0.81},
-          "control_pressure": {"mean": 0.37, "certainty": 0.44, "plasticity": 0.48, "current_activation": 0.4},
-          "hostility": {"mean": 0.18, "certainty": 0.48, "plasticity": 0.44, "current_activation": 0.13},
-          "suspicion": {"mean": 0.69, "certainty": 0.51, "plasticity": 0.38, "current_activation": 0.73},
-          "rigidity": {"mean": 0.39, "certainty": 0.43, "plasticity": 0.47, "current_activation": 0.44},
-          "withdrawal": {"mean": 0.61, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.39, "current_activation": 0.7},
-          "volatility": {"mean": 0.38, "certainty": 0.45, "plasticity": 0.48, "current_activation": 0.41},
-          "attachment_seeking": {"mean": 0.58, "certainty": 0.43, "plasticity": 0.51, "current_activation": 0.66},
-          "distance_seeking": {"mean": 0.64, "certainty": 0.49, "plasticity": 0.44, "current_activation": 0.72}
+          "warmth": {
+            "mean": 0.67,
+            "certainty": 0.49,
+            "plasticity": 0.4,
+            "current_activation": 0.74
+          },
+          "drive": {
+            "mean": 0.52,
+            "certainty": 0.45,
+            "plasticity": 0.45,
+            "current_activation": 0.56
+          },
+          "grandiosity": {
+            "mean": 0.16,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.39,
+            "current_activation": 0.12
+          },
+          "validation_seeking": {
+            "mean": 0.55,
+            "certainty": 0.46,
+            "plasticity": 0.49,
+            "current_activation": 0.62
+          },
+          "anxiety": {
+            "mean": 0.76,
+            "certainty": 0.56,
+            "plasticity": 0.37,
+            "current_activation": 0.81
+          },
+          "control_pressure": {
+            "mean": 0.37,
+            "certainty": 0.44,
+            "plasticity": 0.48,
+            "current_activation": 0.4
+          },
+          "hostility": {
+            "mean": 0.18,
+            "certainty": 0.48,
+            "plasticity": 0.44,
+            "current_activation": 0.13
+          },
+          "suspicion": {
+            "mean": 0.69,
+            "certainty": 0.51,
+            "plasticity": 0.38,
+            "current_activation": 0.73
+          },
+          "rigidity": {
+            "mean": 0.39,
+            "certainty": 0.43,
+            "plasticity": 0.47,
+            "current_activation": 0.44
+          },
+          "withdrawal": {
+            "mean": 0.61,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.39,
+            "current_activation": 0.7
+          },
+          "volatility": {
+            "mean": 0.38,
+            "certainty": 0.45,
+            "plasticity": 0.48,
+            "current_activation": 0.41
+          },
+          "attachment_seeking": {
+            "mean": 0.58,
+            "certainty": 0.43,
+            "plasticity": 0.51,
+            "current_activation": 0.66
+          },
+          "distance_seeking": {
+            "mean": 0.64,
+            "certainty": 0.49,
+            "plasticity": 0.44,
+            "current_activation": 0.72
+          }
         },
         "presentation_strategy": {
-          "charm": {"mean": 0.45, "certainty": 0.4, "plasticity": 0.51, "current_activation": 0.52},
-          "compliance": {"mean": 0.52, "certainty": 0.46, "plasticity": 0.48, "current_activation": 0.59},
-          "superiority": {"mean": 0.08, "certainty": 0.44, "plasticity": 0.45, "current_activation": 0.05},
-          "detachment": {"mean": 0.57, "certainty": 0.47, "plasticity": 0.44, "current_activation": 0.63},
-          "seductiveness": {"mean": 0.07, "certainty": 0.35, "plasticity": 0.5, "current_activation": 0.03},
-          "competence_theater": {"mean": 0.58, "certainty": 0.46, "plasticity": 0.45, "current_activation": 0.68},
-          "moral_theater": {"mean": 0.21, "certainty": 0.4, "plasticity": 0.49, "current_activation": 0.19},
-          "strategic_opacity": {"mean": 0.84, "certainty": 0.55, "plasticity": 0.26, "current_activation": 0.91},
-          "cultivated_harmlessness": {"mean": 0.76, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.35, "current_activation": 0.88}
+          "charm": {
+            "mean": 0.45,
+            "certainty": 0.4,
+            "plasticity": 0.51,
+            "current_activation": 0.52
+          },
+          "compliance": {
+            "mean": 0.52,
+            "certainty": 0.46,
+            "plasticity": 0.48,
+            "current_activation": 0.59
+          },
+          "superiority": {
+            "mean": 0.08,
+            "certainty": 0.44,
+            "plasticity": 0.45,
+            "current_activation": 0.05
+          },
+          "detachment": {
+            "mean": 0.57,
+            "certainty": 0.47,
+            "plasticity": 0.44,
+            "current_activation": 0.63
+          },
+          "seductiveness": {
+            "mean": 0.07,
+            "certainty": 0.35,
+            "plasticity": 0.5,
+            "current_activation": 0.03
+          },
+          "competence_theater": {
+            "mean": 0.58,
+            "certainty": 0.46,
+            "plasticity": 0.45,
+            "current_activation": 0.68
+          },
+          "moral_theater": {
+            "mean": 0.21,
+            "certainty": 0.4,
+            "plasticity": 0.49,
+            "current_activation": 0.19
+          },
+          "strategic_opacity": {
+            "mean": 0.84,
+            "certainty": 0.55,
+            "plasticity": 0.26,
+            "current_activation": 0.91
+          },
+          "cultivated_harmlessness": {
+            "mean": 0.76,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.35,
+            "current_activation": 0.88
+          },
+          "abrasive_boundary": {
+            "mean": 0.12,
+            "certainty": 0.38,
+            "plasticity": 0.5,
+            "current_activation": 0.08
+          },
+          "ironic_distance": {
+            "mean": 0.22,
+            "certainty": 0.41,
+            "plasticity": 0.48,
+            "current_activation": 0.18
+          }
         },
         "situational_state": {
-          "exhaustion": {"mean": 0.5, "certainty": 0.42, "plasticity": 0.81, "current_activation": 0.57},
-          "scarcity_pressure": {"mean": 0.77, "certainty": 0.52, "plasticity": 0.76, "current_activation": 0.86},
-          "humiliation": {"mean": 0.61, "certainty": 0.48, "plasticity": 0.8, "current_activation": 0.7},
-          "panic": {"mean": 0.42, "certainty": 0.41, "plasticity": 0.83, "current_activation": 0.49},
-          "triumph": {"mean": 0.08, "certainty": 0.36, "plasticity": 0.78, "current_activation": 0.04},
-          "grief": {"mean": 0.46, "certainty": 0.38, "plasticity": 0.73, "current_activation": 0.5},
-          "overstimulation": {"mean": 0.61, "certainty": 0.5, "plasticity": 0.8, "current_activation": 0.67},
-          "grievance_activation": {"mean": 0.49, "certainty": 0.44, "plasticity": 0.75, "current_activation": 0.55},
-          "acute_shame": {"mean": 0.69, "certainty": 0.48, "plasticity": 0.82, "current_activation": 0.78},
-          "perceived_status_threat": {"mean": 0.73, "certainty": 0.51, "plasticity": 0.76, "current_activation": 0.8}
+          "exhaustion": {
+            "mean": 0.5,
+            "certainty": 0.42,
+            "plasticity": 0.81,
+            "current_activation": 0.57
+          },
+          "scarcity_pressure": {
+            "mean": 0.77,
+            "certainty": 0.52,
+            "plasticity": 0.76,
+            "current_activation": 0.86
+          },
+          "humiliation": {
+            "mean": 0.61,
+            "certainty": 0.48,
+            "plasticity": 0.8,
+            "current_activation": 0.7
+          },
+          "panic": {
+            "mean": 0.42,
+            "certainty": 0.41,
+            "plasticity": 0.83,
+            "current_activation": 0.49
+          },
+          "triumph": {
+            "mean": 0.08,
+            "certainty": 0.36,
+            "plasticity": 0.78,
+            "current_activation": 0.04
+          },
+          "grief": {
+            "mean": 0.46,
+            "certainty": 0.38,
+            "plasticity": 0.73,
+            "current_activation": 0.5
+          },
+          "overstimulation": {
+            "mean": 0.61,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.8,
+            "current_activation": 0.67
+          },
+          "grievance_activation": {
+            "mean": 0.49,
+            "certainty": 0.44,
+            "plasticity": 0.75,
+            "current_activation": 0.55
+          },
+          "acute_shame": {
+            "mean": 0.69,
+            "certainty": 0.48,
+            "plasticity": 0.82,
+            "current_activation": 0.78
+          },
+          "perceived_status_threat": {
+            "mean": 0.73,
+            "certainty": 0.51,
+            "plasticity": 0.76,
+            "current_activation": 0.8
+          }
         },
         "values": [
           {
@@ -220,7 +774,57 @@
             "priority": 0.86,
             "unforgivable_if_betrayed": true
           }
-        ]
+        ],
+        "voice_style": {
+          "dryness": {
+            "mean": 0.32,
+            "certainty": 0.39,
+            "plasticity": 0.49,
+            "current_activation": 0.35
+          },
+          "sarcastic_deflection": {
+            "mean": 0.28,
+            "certainty": 0.36,
+            "plasticity": 0.52,
+            "current_activation": 0.24
+          },
+          "pointedness": {
+            "mean": 0.24,
+            "certainty": 0.38,
+            "plasticity": 0.5,
+            "current_activation": 0.22
+          },
+          "sincerity_evasion": {
+            "mean": 0.62,
+            "certainty": 0.5,
+            "plasticity": 0.42,
+            "current_activation": 0.69
+          },
+          "emotional_evasion": {
+            "mean": 0.72,
+            "certainty": 0.54,
+            "plasticity": 0.36,
+            "current_activation": 0.78
+          },
+          "banter_as_boundary": {
+            "mean": 0.45,
+            "certainty": 0.43,
+            "plasticity": 0.48,
+            "current_activation": 0.49
+          },
+          "verbal_aggression": {
+            "mean": 0.09,
+            "certainty": 0.35,
+            "plasticity": 0.52,
+            "current_activation": 0.05
+          },
+          "plainspoken_directness": {
+            "mean": 0.4,
+            "certainty": 0.42,
+            "plasticity": 0.49,
+            "current_activation": 0.37
+          }
+        }
       },
       "goals": [
         {
@@ -255,8 +859,18 @@
           "observer_agent_id": "oz_operator",
           "target_agent_id": "cat_marrigan",
           "perceived_dimensions": {
-            "warmth": {"mean": 0.44, "certainty": 0.34, "plasticity": 0.55, "current_activation": 0.4},
-            "suspicion": {"mean": 0.83, "certainty": 0.71, "plasticity": 0.28, "current_activation": 0.9}
+            "warmth": {
+              "mean": 0.44,
+              "certainty": 0.34,
+              "plasticity": 0.55,
+              "current_activation": 0.4
+            },
+            "suspicion": {
+              "mean": 0.83,
+              "certainty": 0.71,
+              "plasticity": 0.28,
+              "current_activation": 0.9
+            }
           },
           "beliefs": [
             {
@@ -278,18 +892,78 @@
       "source_id": "cat_marrigan",
       "target_id": "oz_operator",
       "stance": {
-        "trust": {"mean": 0.31, "certainty": 0.38, "plasticity": 0.52, "current_activation": 0.27},
-        "respect": {"mean": 0.42, "certainty": 0.31, "plasticity": 0.49, "current_activation": 0.46},
-        "resentment": {"mean": 0.18, "certainty": 0.29, "plasticity": 0.55, "current_activation": 0.16},
-        "dependence": {"mean": 0.24, "certainty": 0.28, "plasticity": 0.56, "current_activation": 0.31},
-        "fear": {"mean": 0.2, "certainty": 0.25, "plasticity": 0.57, "current_activation": 0.22},
-        "fascination": {"mean": 0.61, "certainty": 0.35, "plasticity": 0.5, "current_activation": 0.76},
-        "obligation": {"mean": 0.16, "certainty": 0.22, "plasticity": 0.58, "current_activation": 0.13},
-        "envy": {"mean": 0.05, "certainty": 0.2, "plasticity": 0.5, "current_activation": 0.02},
-        "moral_disgust": {"mean": 0.04, "certainty": 0.21, "plasticity": 0.53, "current_activation": 0.03},
-        "perceived_status_gap": {"mean": 0.29, "certainty": 0.27, "plasticity": 0.54, "current_activation": 0.31},
-        "expectation_of_care": {"mean": 0.22, "certainty": 0.24, "plasticity": 0.58, "current_activation": 0.19},
-        "expectation_of_betrayal": {"mean": 0.47, "certainty": 0.37, "plasticity": 0.51, "current_activation": 0.52}
+        "trust": {
+          "mean": 0.31,
+          "certainty": 0.38,
+          "plasticity": 0.52,
+          "current_activation": 0.27
+        },
+        "respect": {
+          "mean": 0.42,
+          "certainty": 0.31,
+          "plasticity": 0.49,
+          "current_activation": 0.46
+        },
+        "resentment": {
+          "mean": 0.18,
+          "certainty": 0.29,
+          "plasticity": 0.55,
+          "current_activation": 0.16
+        },
+        "dependence": {
+          "mean": 0.24,
+          "certainty": 0.28,
+          "plasticity": 0.56,
+          "current_activation": 0.31
+        },
+        "fear": {
+          "mean": 0.2,
+          "certainty": 0.25,
+          "plasticity": 0.57,
+          "current_activation": 0.22
+        },
+        "fascination": {
+          "mean": 0.61,
+          "certainty": 0.35,
+          "plasticity": 0.5,
+          "current_activation": 0.76
+        },
+        "obligation": {
+          "mean": 0.16,
+          "certainty": 0.22,
+          "plasticity": 0.58,
+          "current_activation": 0.13
+        },
+        "envy": {
+          "mean": 0.05,
+          "certainty": 0.2,
+          "plasticity": 0.5,
+          "current_activation": 0.02
+        },
+        "moral_disgust": {
+          "mean": 0.04,
+          "certainty": 0.21,
+          "plasticity": 0.53,
+          "current_activation": 0.03
+        },
+        "perceived_status_gap": {
+          "mean": 0.29,
+          "certainty": 0.27,
+          "plasticity": 0.54,
+          "current_activation": 0.31
+        },
+        "expectation_of_care": {
+          "mean": 0.22,
+          "certainty": 0.24,
+          "plasticity": 0.58,
+          "current_activation": 0.19
+        },
+        "expectation_of_betrayal": {
+          "mean": 0.47,
+          "certainty": 0.37,
+          "plasticity": 0.51,
+          "current_activation": 0.52
+        }
       },
       "summary": "Cat suspects Oz is more than a helpful drone and hates that this makes the drone more interesting.",
       "unresolved_incident_ids": [
@@ -352,7 +1026,8 @@
             "goal-keep-taxi-operational"
           ],
           "presentation_constraints": [
-            "Sound dry rather than openly grateful.",
+            "Use dry, pointed sarcasm to evade sincerity or emotional exposure.",
+            "Let the prickly-abrasive performance function as a boundary, not random cruelty.",
             "Probe without making it look like an interrogation."
           ],
           "forbidden_context": [
@@ -382,7 +1057,8 @@
           ],
           "presentation_constraints": [
             "Be helpful, a little funny, and evasive.",
-            "Let the drone seem more autonomous than it is."
+            "Let the drone seem more autonomous than it is.",
+            "Use warmth carefully; Cat may treat open sincerity as bait."
           ],
           "forbidden_context": [
             "Do not confess the operator's location.",
diff --git a/schemas/agent-state.required-fields.json b/schemas/agent-state.required-fields.json
index 57f0922..1a34b87 100644
--- a/schemas/agent-state.required-fields.json
+++ b/schemas/agent-state.required-fields.json
@@ -45,7 +45,9 @@
       "competence_theater",
       "moral_theater",
       "strategic_opacity",
-      "cultivated_harmlessness"
+      "cultivated_harmlessness",
+      "abrasive_boundary",
+      "ironic_distance"
     ],
     "situational_state": [
       "exhaustion",
@@ -72,6 +74,16 @@
       "perceived_status_gap",
       "expectation_of_care",
       "expectation_of_betrayal"
+    ],
+    "voice_style": [
+      "dryness",
+      "sarcastic_deflection",
+      "pointedness",
+      "sincerity_evasion",
+      "emotional_evasion",
+      "banter_as_boundary",
+      "verbal_aggression",
+      "plainspoken_directness"
     ]
   }
 }
diff --git a/schemas/agent-state.schema.json b/schemas/agent-state.schema.json
index fbc5d04..41bf84d 100644
--- a/schemas/agent-state.schema.json
+++ b/schemas/agent-state.schema.json
@@ -166,6 +166,7 @@
         "stable_dispositions",
         "behavioral_dimensions",
         "presentation_strategy",
+        "voice_style",
         "situational_state",
         "values"
       ],
@@ -191,6 +192,9 @@
           "items": {
             "$ref": "#/$defs/value_commitment"
           }
+        },
+        "voice_style": {
+          "$ref": "#/$defs/variable_map"
         }
       }
     },
diff --git a/state/evidence.jsonl b/state/evidence.jsonl
index f1ac1b1..604fc8a 100644
--- a/state/evidence.jsonl
+++ b/state/evidence.jsonl
@@ -6,3 +6,4 @@
 {"ts": "2026-05-01T17:40:43+00:00", "type": "design", "status": "accepted", "note": "Clarified Ghostlight authoring rationale: the system should build drama and narrative pressure, then render character-local dialogue context packs constrained to what each character knows, feels, wants, remembers, hides, and perceives."}
 {"ts": "2026-05-01T17:46:36+00:00", "type": "design", "status": "accepted", "note": "Corrected Call of the Void continuity drift: old colony-fleet no-return twist is obsolete; current pressure should come from the whole Solar system being sequestered into Elysium with its institutions, conflicts, and unresolved machinery intact."}
 {"ts": "2026-05-01T17:52:01+00:00", "type": "implementation", "status": "ok", "note": "Added v0 canonical agent-state schema, required first-class dimension list, Call of the Void example fixture, and dependency-free validation script. schema:validate passes on the first fixture."}
+{"ts": "2026-05-01T18:10:28+00:00", "type": "design", "status": "accepted", "note": "Split performed self from voice style in the v0 schema: presentation_strategy now includes abrasive_boundary and ironic_distance, while voice_style carries sarcasm, dryness, sincerity evasion, emotional evasion, and banter-as-boundary handles."}
diff --git a/tools/validate_agent_state.py b/tools/validate_agent_state.py
index 804f583..86d77f3 100644
--- a/tools/validate_agent_state.py
+++ b/tools/validate_agent_state.py
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ def validate_agent(agent: dict[str, Any], required: dict[str, list[str]]) -> Non
             "stable_dispositions",
             "behavioral_dimensions",
             "presentation_strategy",
+            "voice_style",
             "situational_state",
             "values",
         ],
@@ -87,6 +88,7 @@ def validate_agent(agent: dict[str, Any], required: dict[str, list[str]]) -> Non
         "stable_dispositions",
         "behavioral_dimensions",
         "presentation_strategy",
+        "voice_style",
         "situational_state",
     ]:
         validate_variable_map(canonical[group], required[group], f"{path}.canonical_state.{group}")