[Alistair is just beginning to wonder if he should abandon the attempt and make a break for it like he'd (very briefly) considered. And then, success! It worked, he's off the hook!
But that's a rather strange answer. Why exactly would this guy know so well what stories can be like? Unless-]
Why do you know? Are you a writer?
[It's the first thing he can think of that makes sense. It also makes it sound like if he is, his stories are going to be over the top and ridiculous, which almost makes him curious... But he's so not asking for books by someone who only just stopped being an ass for what was definitely no fault of Alistair's at all. Not happening.]
no subject
But that's a rather strange answer. Why exactly would this guy know so well what stories can be like? Unless-]
Why do you know? Are you a writer?
[It's the first thing he can think of that makes sense. It also makes it sound like if he is, his stories are going to be over the top and ridiculous, which almost makes him curious... But he's so not asking for books by someone who only just stopped being an ass for what was definitely no fault of Alistair's at all. Not happening.]