Three dollars and some change

I'm convinced that if Nathaniel was more assertive, he'd be the most Slytherin of Slytherins. Not evil, but manipulative, gaining from others' protection, that kind of thing. It's not a bad thing. For someone as submissive as Nathaniel is, it's the best he can hope for to survive.

Ever read the Ringworld books by Larry Niven? They feature a race of beings called the Puppeteers. They don't fight, and are very passive -- but also very smart and manipulative. They're the de facto rulers of the galaxy, a status they achieved by playing off the other beings against each other.

I'm not sure Asher was sparing Anita's feelings so much as he was avoiding a confrontation. The "What do you mean, you were going to shot me??" confrontation.

Or the quiet "Oh" from Anita's lips as a layer of ice settles around her heart, followed immediately by a silent exit from the room.