"Didn't you know?" Daniel smiles back in earnest, but the motion is ridged with bitterness. "Giving me inquisitive free reign like that is rhetorical suicide."

He takes a prolonged drink of his coffee as he considers the offer, debates the intricacies, bats around a possible conclusion.

"All right," he says, rubbing at his chin with the back of one hand, "I say we spring for equal exchange here. I think if you're going to allow me interrogative freedom it's only fair that I give you the same." Daniel knows he's dodged too many questions as of late, choosing instead to define himself by his proclivity for consolation and the reach toward others. "The questions can go both ways. Sound fair?"