"If only they were all doing that, it seems. Flirty flim-flammery is so much nicer than... this."

"I rather like being tricked into bed, myself."

More serious: "Don't get caught up in this, William."

"I certainly don't intend to get into spells or summonings."

He sighs performatively. "I'll just have to seduce people with my charm and wit."

"I mean it. There is no good to come from getting involved in these people. You already almost died-- and don't tell me you didn't."

"I don't intend to join them.

...I don't think I can completely avoid this, not with how far I've gone. But I'm not going to go start putting up monoliths. I promise that."

"Why not? What is stopping you from going back to failing to get acting gigs?"

"I do feel like I should at least see the Roby case out--it pays very well, at least-- and...you're aware of Chris Parker, yes?"

"The antiques dealer? One of Roby's more unpleasant friends."

"That's the one. His fiancée needs out, and, well. You know me. I can never say no to a damsel in distress."

"No! Say no to this one! You can find a perfectly good damsel somewhere else."

"I've already promised her."

"Was it not enough that you almost died to the Triads?"

"--I'm not planning to die. But I can't leave her to die, or to have her spend the rest of her life with him, which may as well be a very similar thing!"

"Yes! Yes, you very much can! Nothing is stopping you!"

"--maybe I physically can. But I'm not going to throw her to the wolves, I don't want to be cruel."

"I saw you almost die once and I don't want to see it again."

"I'm sorry.

...I promise I will do my utmost to not die?"

"Except stay away from the people trying to kill you."

"I will stop Roby from getting out and hurting more people. I'm getting Evie away from Parker. Then I'll stay away from all this."

"I'm not going to help you kill yourself."

"--I don't expect you to? And-- I'm being much more careful than I was, when I was younger."

Snort.

"Look, I'm sober and clear headed. That's a start."

She laughs. "I'm not."

"We are on average just the right amount of not-sober."