The Once-ler nodded once to acknowledge the deal. With that out of the way, he intended to return to his thoughts, now that they were under control and he was thinking somewhat more clearly. Skulduggery, on the other hand, started asking more questions.

The Once-ler frowned, slightly irked that the conversation wasn't over. "You've tried pulling it too? We didn't have much luck." He shook his head in reply. "No, it's a personal matter. Soma was planning on checking out the book, though. She's my acquaintance from the library."

He didn't like using the word, but describing someone as a friend when even he wasn't sure if that was the case did not appeal to him. He'd made that assumption before, and had been stung for it.