[ It is a harmless enough question, or at least it appears to be. No question is harmless, truly harmless, for each begs an answer to provide illumination (and so many secrets are loathe to have themselves be shown in the light). Though it is not her intention to deceive any further than is necessary, Alayne's question is perhaps misleading. She has yet to decide whether or not she and the brute with the courtesy whose name is Tommy are friends (there is part of her that would like to be, but that part of her is starved and unruly and Alayne knows better than to allow it much counsel).
She watches silently as he stirs his food. Alayne thinks, if she were to leave the conversation there, he may stare into that modest container indefinitely in an attempt to avoid her gaze. A moment passes, then two, then: ] Then I would never wish for you to pretend for my sake— [ I pretend enough for us both already. ] —friend.
action;
She watches silently as he stirs his food. Alayne thinks, if she were to leave the conversation there, he may stare into that modest container indefinitely in an attempt to avoid her gaze. A moment passes, then two, then: ] Then I would never wish for you to pretend for my sake— [ I pretend enough for us both already. ] —friend.