There had yet to be a time to properly explain to Joly the full extent of the situation (as he understood it, at least) with Venus. There would likely never be a time to properly explain it, and even if there were, he doubted very much that he would have the words for it. His gift of eloquence seemed to be reserved for politics and while he didn't mind that most days, the limitation was becoming increasingly tiresome as the Arena wore on. It had been easy to admit to her that he had no idea how to falsify being in love, no concept of the emotions he was to be faking, it was more difficult to examine the reasons behind that and his general reluctance to engage.

He regretted the oversight, the lack of explanation the moment he saw Courfeyrac and his District-mate trading a bottle of wine back and forth along with easy smiles. After all, Courfeyrac could be more of a gossip than Joly regarding such things. He would want to pry and with the alcohol flowing and nothing to stave off its effects, he would.

"There is something you should know," he began, purposefully talking over her response. A small part of him regretted the necessity, though he was sure Venus would be diplomatic enough to divert the conversation elsewhere. "It is not something I can completely explain here, however I-- I told you that a certain duplicity would be necessary in this place."