There you go again, reading me like a book. If your friend makes it through, please introduce me.

That's the thing with heroes and villains, isn't it? Framing and author. Morals and actions matter a good deal more to me. [ He omits that he's joined the Society of Villainous Reform. It's not that he sees himself as a villain; it's that he's too tired to wade through others' ideas of righteousness. He knows he'll rise to the bait. He wants some time to think.

The way David's last sentence lands catches him by surprise. Something about it feels more forward than the rest of their conversation, or maybe it's the way his head has cleared a little. ] My good sir, if I didn't know better I'd say you were flirting with me. Not that I'm complaining.