How very apt... [ as he reaches for the bottle and dumps a bit of the liquor into his glass, his expression lightens somewhat -- is that gratitude you're sensing, there, rand? surely not. ] Perhaps I --
[ perhaps he has misjudged this man.
ah, but he falters. he doesn't want to say such a thing, such a weak thing, and what's more, he does not misjudge anyone. the man is obviously still some sort of idiot; his own inhibitions have simply been lowered.
for the moment, and despite himself, he occupies himself with drinking instead. the liquor burns on the way down, and he smirks at the sensation, all at once curious and pleasurable. he smirks, and that smirk is a mask restored. ]
It occurs to me that I never asked you about yourself -- about your life before you were ripped from it. [ he puts the drink down and looks back up at atton. ] I am asking now.