The most annoying thing about this conversation by far is the singular moment Armand's lips nearly quirk in a genuine way at 'cold therapy.' It's the faintest flicker of his expression before he shifts it to a show smile instead. The girl behind him is starting to get a touch frustrated at how long this conversation is taking. The boy Armand imagines will be Daniel's dinner if he does see him at the bar.

If Daniel slept with him then he'd end up Armand's dinner, which is a normal response that will not be examined. Just cleaning up after the fledgling, as a deadbeat maker does.

"My deepest condolences then," Armand answers with a frankly awe inspiring deadpan. "Truly the world is lesser for this tragedy of journalistic integrity lost to gothic horror."

He lifts a hand, a silent command for the book. Daniel got him, now he's curious to read whatever nonsense he wrote.