Asher chuckled, thinking back through the centuries in a moment. "No, simply an enjoyable action." He smiled wickedly. "Humans question far less when you are smoking together; it was an enjoyable tool."

He took another long, satisfied drag of the cigarette. "Should I be expecting others or was this your lot?"

* * *

Nathaniel pressed his nose deeper into Beryl's hair: he'd heard that before. Sometimes the ones who were the most well-meaning were the ones to be trusted the least in his experience. Besides, how many bodies could be torn apart in front of someone before they decide you're what people need to be safe from...

"Thank you," he mumbled.