Being too straightforward had never been his problem - quite the opposite, in fact. Subtlety and suggestion had been his trade for a very long time, but he was somewhat at a loss as to how to apply them here, speaking with someone whom he wasn't trying to trick or convince.
Whether that was the reason that flirtation was utterly beyond him, he didn't know, but he was sure he didn't have the first idea how to get on, and that ... had not become much less frustrating over time. He would have liked to know what to say now, for instance. "It's your turn, I believe." He thought it might have been a good thing that she was blushing. He didn't hide the fact that he was pleased, anyhow. "You could take my pawn. Your stray might like another toy." All of his suggestions carried ulterior motives, though.