New scars were a no-go topic: check.

"Meeting interesting people," he said to her retreating back, taking a moment to pause outside and finish his cigarette before flicking the butt away. "Learning new skills. Having great sex."

It was amazing what dropping sex into the conversation could do to throw someone off-balance. People had such interesting hang-ups.

He followed her in, feeling slightly warmer air brush over his skin, and sprawled in the opposite bench-seat from Tsume, careful not to kick Kuromaru's bulk under the table.

Then he ducked down to look at the wolf-hound, gentling his voice just enough to avoid insult. "So why no eyepatch? Still too sore?"

He didn't really do no-go.