[ It occurs to Emmrich, not for the first time, that Armand wields his beauty like a weapon. The principle is one he's familiar with, given his proximity to Parisa. (Would Armand consider it a curse, too?) ]

I'm glad you sought me out, Armand.

[ His tone is earnest, almost painfully so. There's no pretense, no disingenuity. No sense that there's a soul in this world he couldn't learn to care for, in time. ]

You needn't call me professor, unless you so prefer it. Emmrich would do.