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A dramatic change in her voice.

Laughter, nervous.

They began from the same point, but their lives have spiraled off in such different ways.

The self forms around another self. It has no independent being, cannot verify its own existence.

Relief, but with a hint of dread.

Sarcasm, laced with longing.

They had the rare kind of bond that cannot be described.

The outlandish jacket, the promises, the smooth flirtations -- all performance. But whatever he's feeling about this certainly isn't.

For you, as much as it is for him. Has to keep himself sharp, or that'll be the day he loses.

And for a moment, you're aware of a great hollow, shaped exactly like your old asset.

He makes it sound like curiosity, but it's concern.

So that's it. He's gone.

A courtesy he'd like to be mutual.

This guy is a businessman first and foremost. No way he's not selling something if it can turn a profit.

A coded question. He needs to be let 'in' enough on the details to be willing to open himself up to risk.

Could be another of his sales pitches. Could be...

That's it. Play up the damsel in distress angle, it's his weak spot.

He came through.

Now it's all done, everything in him hopes that his concession will earn him a place in your heart.

And just like that, warmth radiates from him once more. If only it were that easy for you.

This is a man who knows guns, the mess they make. He doesn't throw out threats like that lightly.

Poor guy. You should make sure he's okay, at least.

You robbed the man and left. An apology isn't undeserved.

Poor guy. He had such a rough night.

You've seen this kind of bravado before. He's running some kind of side-hustle.

Easy -- he's obviously not harbouring a grudge.

A chill runs down your spine as the true meaning of her words sinks in.

This Bagman is the fibre of the web connecting all paranoia in Portofiro.

She really wants you to explore the silo for her.

An insane copper stripper wants to use you as a canary in a coal mine.

You have never been paid in a more degrading way.

A handsome foreigner. The carabineros were playing a trick on him.

If a woman of means wants him over her other options, that makes him a luxury. He likes that.

You are the nib from which life spills, captured across the page.

Both showcase a serious passion for cryptography -- done purely for the love of it.

It's because they're defenceless. They trigger the impulse to nurture.

Plushie #3 has shredded the social contract.

Souvenirs, yes... good point. Are you really going to return to Melita arms swinging?

The dead and the discarded.

He doesn't care about the money. The competition was all.

A dramatic change in her voice. It seems the two of you may share an interest.

Leave him at it. You're starting to feel icky.

The gall! She who toils and sweats, while the vending automaton does nothing but dispense cheerfully, uncaringly, and at a significant price markup.

Oh, Hershel. You've stolen from an old lady.

Does she mean Ignatz?

She peers out from behind the pages, eyes softening. She has deemed you clumsy enough to be trustworthy.

She smiles and leans back, endeared by your threat.

Impressive that he was able to win this woman over. He inspires empathy. Valuable trait.

1,005 skill checks - ZERO PARADES field manual - Page 4 of 21