That little quip actually startles By, enough that for a split second his gaze sharpens and he blinks in surprise. Huh. Was that flirting? Not exactly - more of a here's-why-I'm-not-flirting - but it's still rather unexpected. Curious thing, that. That boldness is quite unexpected. Particularly coupled with the bashfulness, which is thoroughly adorable. Ah, to have the luxury to pursue that...

"Oh, reading," By says dismissively, then takes a swallow from his glass. Actually alcohol - he's not getting so drunk that he'll lose his wits, but he needs some verisimilitude, here. And some soothing of his terrified nerves. "Bah. That's no fun. Gossiping with people, that's fun. No biases at all like that, if you get them sufficiently wasted first."