[He's silent for a long moment, running back through his memory of all that has been said on the topic. Quietly, then,] So you'd said, and I'd not listened. In that case, much of my concern is ill-founded.

[A slow breath out.]

You'd mentioned the people of Darktown and the alienage not having much of a say in this. Is there some way they might be brought in, too, without causing too much upset?