I dunno. Maybe it's saying that I'm not a guy who's quick to judge people when I haven't walked 'round in their shoes. Or else that I grew up in a war zone, and I got used to the idea that life's complicated a long time 'fore I got here.

[At the booth, he orders a coffee with milk, no sugar, and gestures for Ash to order whatever he likes. The vendor's eyes go to each of their necks just as naturally and seamlessly as saying good morning, but all is as it should be--she's a Dominant herself and doesn't so much as bat an eye.

While she makes the drinks, he turns his focus back to Ash. They're playing a game of poker with their words here, each keeping his composure as well as the other, but at some point they're going to need to lay down their cards.]

So what if you're wrong--what if I'm not desperate and I'm not in bed with them? What then?