[ At the first bit, his eyebrows twitch, his head tilts—bemusement with a touch of amusement on top. That isn’t the worst reception he’s ever gotten for a stupid joke, by far, but it is one of the less expected poor receptions in recent memory.

It isn’t a problem. Just interesting. ]

Yes, of course.

[ He pauses, drums his fingers once against his knee while he thinks. ]

I try to be versatile— [ he lifts his hand just a bit, for an undramatic staying gesture ] —and I hope I am not being difficult, saying so. Or arrogant. I can navigate the nobility, but my experience is being the impoverished musician friend they have invited as a conversation piece. And the, ah—the poor little fucks are my people, but some of the soldiers probably used to hang me over bridges by the ankles to make my cry.

[ That’s a lie, if only because they couldn’t catch him. ]

Personally. Professionally, I am hardly a diplomat at all. I am only trying to help.