( Lalli dodges that question -- no, it hits him. He hits him, he catches it, he drops it. Why? Emil has no idea. but his friend came in upset, and he certainly doesnt want him to leave that way.

Pressing it, when he flung it away so astutely, doesn't seem like the right thing to do. )

Walnut, huh? I don't know if that's better or worse than stupid. ( This sudden obsession with walnuts is certainly strange. ) Anyway, it'll be all mine then. Do you hear that, Lisko?

( Despite his efforts to move on, there's a hollow quality to his voice. His nerves suddenly feel jittery; he's not used to handling anxiety head on outside of the field. )