James: "Mary was at your place?"
Markus: "Yeah, so what's going on?"
James: "You tell me. Maybe she's been replaced by a pod person. Since when are you two such good friends?"
Markus: "What's going on with Tristan."
James: "Oh. Right. I don't know yet, I've been waiting for you to get here. What's wrong with Mary?"

Markus thought of telling James what he knew. Granted, that wasn't much, but he decided not to share the days events with James- Mary didn't seem like the type to open up to anyone. She seemed somehow more real today, though- almost real enough to touch. He decided to respect the walls Mary had built around herself. He felt compelled to be someone Mary could trust. God help him. So he just shrugged.

Markus: "Just a cold, I think. You'll have to ask her if there's anything more than that."

James snorted.

James: "I don't want to know that badly."

Markus could feel his patience beginning to wane.

Markus: "Fine, great, whatever man. Now let's go see what's up with Tristan. Or did I imagine the urgency in your voice when you demanded I get over here right away, speed limits be damned?"