"Sometimes they're so transparent they turn into little assholes," Marcus agrees with a real laugh. "But I suppose that's no different than the rest of us."

Everyone is capable of being an asshole every now and again, even the nicest of people. Marcus wouldn't count himself among those people, the truly good ones. His patience has never been enough for that and his focus, before Darrow, had been utterly singular. Feelings had certainly been bruised in the process and he had never cared if it meant lives were saved.

Mouse, though, he regrets. Even now, knowing how she turned out, all the good she's done. Oh, he regrets how he hurt her.

"Did you give music lessons?" he guesses, imagining with her talent, that must be it.