'But it would not be a convenience. It would be the opposite. I do not enjoy mindless conversation that serves no purpose.'

This is true, though not the whole truth. He scratches his shoulder idly, and averts his eyes from the perfect circles of the puncture wounds. They look larger on his wrist than those on the neck.

'I am not part of society. Marrying would be a pretence at something that is not for men like me.'