Hmm. Who says you need to be of help to me? Maybe I just wanted to talk. There is a rule about that this week, isn't there?

[ ... his tone is just a few shades shy of completely dismissive and aloof, which means it's just recognizable as almost playful instead.

he chuckles a little after, warmly. ]

No, I didn't necessarily need anything in specific, but if you must ask: after that display this weekend... I wondered a little about it before, but now really have to wonder. Does an individual have to have a certain streak of self-sacrifice in them for you to make your initial offer to them, at the beginning of the game?

[ because really. really. ]