"If this turns out to be a complete waste of time, I'm leaving," he replies easily, expression crumpled in visible exasperation, mouth creasing as he tilts his head down to appraise her, accordingly gliding into the seat. "I'll give you five minutes."

But that's not how it is, even: that he hates her so much that he can't stand to be in her presence. If anything, it's the opposite. Ever since arriving in Tellus, his dynamics toward everyone else he's encountered from the same planet have been too kind, ranging from outright forgiveness to emotional displacement. Ignoring the kneejerk desire to go sprinting up from the chair, all promises be damned, he blinks back down at the cards in slow-boiled resignation.

"I'm obviously unacquainted with these sorts of ventures. Is there anything I need to do?"