... Disappointing. [ presumably, anyway. if remaining at a standstill kept the peace, then so be it. his tone doesn't come without a scoff to it. ] So the dignitaries have been dragged here to -- essentially, mark the difference between that dream and this... conveniently cleaner reality.

[ because, yes, it hadn't been difficult to tell what's been staged recently. he's sure his companion's picked up on that. viren eyes the burning tip of the cigarette a moment, considering it, before taking a light drag. ... it's not bad, rather at all. ]

[ he resists sighing for the umpteenth time, instead opting for a slow exhale of smoke. keeping his voice appropriate low, ]

But they've done such a slipshod job of masking it, I do wonder what the actual purpose is to being here.