The Ames Interlude

[Reeves]

"It doesn't bother me even if you did mean for it to be that way. I prefer when people are open about what they want. Being painfully subtle is a lot like being a coward, and there's nothing attractive about cowards." While this was intended to reassure her against being self conscious for the sake of being polite, there was a visible degree of contempt behind his words and even demeanor for the sort of person he described. Hate seemed to come easily from him.

"So is that all you came here for? To talk?" The purpose behind asking such a direct question was unclear, but given that his eyes were never caught wandering and the lack of suggestion, it must have been the case that he was testing. And while an answer was no doubt being pondered by the person across from him, the pause was subject to studious observation.

The constant intensity he possessed could not have been natural, but there was every indication that it was, a primary source of intimidation, admiration or a confused mix of the two.