[ She looks a little hurt by that. Her gaze drops down to the hamster cupped in her hands. If she weren't so determined about this- determined that she's right about him, convinced that what she thinks about him has to be true- then it would sound like a cold dismissal. And maybe that's what it's supposed to be, but. ]

No... That's not what I mean at all. [ She brushes a finger over the hamster's soft back. ] Allies exist out of convenience; they are bonds forged by contract, and nothing more. And they are easily dissipated.

Friends. Not allies.