[...Hm. He carefully sets the cup down, leaning back in his chair.
First, because it's relevant--]
How much do you know about my abilities?
["Truthfully, please," he doesn't say, because he figures that his feelings on all this are well-established by now. The more truthful an answer seems, the more likely he is to at least try and believe it, though he'll never promise his full trust. But this, in a way, is how he shows trust--by not pretending to be any less on-guard than he truly is.]
no subject
First, because it's relevant--]
How much do you know about my abilities?
["Truthfully, please," he doesn't say, because he figures that his feelings on all this are well-established by now. The more truthful an answer seems, the more likely he is to at least try and believe it, though he'll never promise his full trust. But this, in a way, is how he shows trust--by not pretending to be any less on-guard than he truly is.]