Lestat wants all kinds of things from Lalo. He wants something from nearly everyone he meets, in some fashion. Attention, amusement, distraction, pleasure, and, always, the warm, dark richness of their blood.

But what to ask for, in this moment? He makes no effort to conceal his consideration of the answer he'll give, affording Lalo the respect Lestat hopes he might be due.

"You'll think it trivial," he says, clearly not believing that Lalo will think any such thing, "But I'd love to hear some stories of yours, if you'd be so accommodating. And don't tell me that you have nothing interesting to say for yourself - I have an instinct for these things."

And he knows some of the darkness behind that gleaming smile already, but while the dead are past caring what they hear, the still-teaming living might.