[Forwardness was never in short supply with Dark Mercury, but it was that she was bothering to be so direct with this that surprised him. Why? What did she gain out of this? She had what she wanted in her world. There was no point in trying to advise him.]

I won't know that unless I have them. [He pauses, then scoffs quietly.] And besides. In case you've forgotten, I don't have much of a future as I am now.