"Hey man, I respect that," Mac intoned animatedly, reaching over and thumping a fist on Aob'a shoulder. "Don't look so glum! Seriously, if you're this down about it...I'd suggest you be completely open. Declan is a really sincere and direct guy, in case you haven't noticed. He doesn't understand dancing around things the way other people do. Why don't you just...tell him?"

The Warlock glanced at his Ghost as if daring him to say something. The construct turned away and looked up, making a humming sound, exaggeratedly minding his own business.

"I mean like...'Yo I'm into you and all but I want like a really fulfilling relationship and I feel like I could have that with you but not until I really really know myself so I gotta go soul-searching and when I figure myself out I wanna revisit this topic', or something to that effect. But what do you mean 'if that's all it is'? All what? All love or all lust? Dude. It's Declan. He doesn't really do things in half measures..." He paused, serving a few of the more flavorful and typically choicest pieces of the dish onto a small plate, pushing it over to Aoba. The highest courtesy at a meal coming from someone who liked to play at being as self-serving as Mac.

"What's giving you the impression it's all one thing or another? You guys have some kinda intimate hiccup?"