What, you've been enlisted by those indolent bureaucrats, have you? Because I can't imagine that the other "factions", as they call them, have shown much more tact than my own.

( not from his impressions of them and their territories, at least. but her offer does give him pause. he hesitates only momentarily before offering a wave his hand — a dismissive gesture. )

In any case, I suppose I'll remember that, though I don't see much need for it.

( ...the respect for the skills that she offers is implied, at least, through the fact that the words aren't an outright rejection of the offer. )