[ ...ah. she really doesn't believe him, does she? the smile doesn't leave his face - that ever-present, gentle smile - but there's something else in his eyes, now. something dug deep down. something ai herself might recognize. ]

...that's a laugh, coming from you. [ still pleasant. still teasing. and yet, there's something under it - a harsh desperation. not now. not like this. stop digging. ] Or do all idols practice that line? What was it- "I don't know what to do?"

[ he can't point to those other words, those convenient lies he'd provided for her. because if he does, if he acknowledges those-

then everything else will come crashing down with them. ]