Ah. This was more like it. Even if the girl had shown a facet of clever playfulness, she had the ability to put substance in the words traded over the Network. The First kept his pace in comparison as he looked up, keeping track of where she headed.

- I don't mind. I usually prefer it that way. -

There was a pause after he sent this. But her quiet encouragement to do something 'nice' for 'friends' left him with much to think about.

Friends. He didn't really have any friends. Co-workers. Associates. Acquaintances, maybe. Subordinates, most likely. Either way, there wasn't any sort of closeness to be had between him and any of them.

...But there was the whole 'attempt' approach.

- Perhaps. I will have to see if any are available to take me up on such an offer. -