[When Black Hat finally speaks again, it's in a quiet voice.]
...it was.
[And he'll not say anymore on the subject - the admission alone is a struggle. He holds back a moment longer, then straightens, whatever momentary vulnerability was present covered up again in an instant.]
You've only gone once. Hardly 'too many times.' If you've lost something it'll come out in time, and I'll remind you of it.
[Granted that would only cover Flug's time in Black Hat's employ... but really, nothing else from his life matters. It stopped mattering when he signed his life over.]
no subject
...it was.
[And he'll not say anymore on the subject - the admission alone is a struggle. He holds back a moment longer, then straightens, whatever momentary vulnerability was present covered up again in an instant.]
You've only gone once. Hardly 'too many times.' If you've lost something it'll come out in time, and I'll remind you of it.
[Granted that would only cover Flug's time in Black Hat's employ... but really, nothing else from his life matters. It stopped mattering when he signed his life over.]