Graceful Descent

[Victor Steiner]

He smiled broadly at her question while still gazing out over the mountains Because you're not stupid. He said before drawing on his pipe again Scarred perhaps, maybe more than a little hurt, but you're not a cauldron of unbridled rage. Plus, for the moment at least, you need me. So you'll entertain my strange interest in you until you get what you want from me and then...who knows. For now at least, I'm far safer with you here than if you were wandering out amongst the stars.

Maybe he was pushing is luck but he was fairly certain his assessment was correct, she knew how to play the game, that did not mean she had to reveal her cards or her true thoughts. She wanted something he could provide, why risk offending?