"Maybe he's manipulating you," Loki suggested. "Or maybe he found out something right before he died. Or maybe both or none at all. Try not to get too attached, Ruby. Men are as ruinous as women, in my experience."

He knew he was not being particularly kind in that approach; but he liked Ruby well enough, and watching people he liked wander into disaster, while it was something he expected, wasn't what he relished. Still, he was also aware that if Ruby had known the man for a long time, he did think she was clever enough to at least notice if the man had some talent at dissembling.

"Just give it some time," he settled with. "Try not to get too distracted by his winning smile or whatever it is you like about him."