Kind of attached to it, yeah-- [YEAH THAT WAS AN INTENTIONAL PUN DEAL WITH IT] --but a loan I can work with.

[The amusement is a lot easier to manufacture this time, though to all appearances he achieves the same end product; his eyes on her face, apparently full of nonjudgmental curiosity, and a grin which he cuts short, because even with its knife-edge dulled you never really know. Especially not now, when he can actually feel the dark, cacchinating rush of laughter rear up within him at her phrasing. Cyd, my sweet summer child, you have no idea.]

So... how long has it been? [A brief self-deprecating eyebrow raise.] For you, I mean, since you showed up. Sounds like I'm asking about doing time.