with a brief close of the eyes, a tip of the head, Stephen did concede to those words. “yes, well, it’s in the past now. now you’re here, and i’m here. so – ?” that tip of the head turns into something ruder. raising his chin in a: i’m waiting.

    “you’d be surprised how far a genuine question can get a genuine answer.” with that said, “sometimes an answer you might not like.”

    “but i’ve been known to change my mind.”

    _{“most of the time answers are worthless.” at least to him. they might have been genuine answers, but they were not what he wanted. it took trickery, effort, and a basis of trust before most would even think of helping him.} 

      _{it was something that he didn’t think was needed here. at least since he knew fully well that asking ( even nicely ) would just end up with a denial of his request ( at least in his mind ). “you know who i am… so we can skip that part,” he said, arms folding across his chest. “– an’ get to the part where i tell you that i need access to something.”}