"So did I, and, I assure you, I bear them no similar fondness." That was, in fact, a lie. He could be--and was--quite fond of a select few of them. But as a species overall, they were long finished and pining after them accomplished nothing. Most of them would be dead long before he was. Getting attached would hurt.

Perhaps not the description Cobweb would have applied to the man, but at least, it seemed, he still had some surprise in him. Whether or not that was a good thing remained to be seen. Perhaps he should have verified that Louis even wanted to be revealed? Ah well. Too late to change that now. Besides, he didn't doubt his own protections. Louis cared for Marie, and if he needed Cobweb to defend him he would.

"Yes. That one. We haven't talked much, but he seems to be a rather troubled soul. Kind, though."