He watched her for a moment, trying to figure out what she was asking with that. He had been in contact with the man, because Albedo understood. From the moment Nigredo had thought to read those older transcripts aloud, Albedo had understood the way the man played his game. Because a little subtler, a little more extreme, and Albedo would do some of the same. There was nothing personal in the acts, and if Albedo's life and love happened to be the cause or effect, it was just a movement to be made, a shift to slip past.

He had said it to her, after all. That night. It was all a dance in the end; a game to play for the pawns present. And Albedo, if nothing more, intended to win what he wanted.

So she was given a thin smile for the question, an indescribable look and a tilt of his head, and then he deigned to answer her second one instead. "I didn't think it was about Nigredo at all for you," he answered truthfully. "Now or that night. I'm asking you," he said lowly, eyes bright in the dark halls. "Because I enjoy you."

An answer good enough or not, but Albedo had already caught a glimpse of a man shuffling along, a hand to his stomach. Prey by any other name. He raised his eyebrows slightly at her, in casual invitation, then inclined his head to the man, moving as if to follow. He glanced back at her, watching.