[Food growing cold and congealed sits on the small circular table of Lavi's quarters. It doesn't go unnoticed as a sign, along the glass of water unmarked by dirtied fingerprints, of their passenger's delirious - and distrustful - state.

Apprehension isn't unexpected - Takasugi has come armed out of his own caution - though the degree to which it's painted on the redhead's body is dully amusing.

An intricate game of showing obvious suspicion to wipe away any veneer of lies, their sheen already pierced... or a simple case of exhaustion. Either way, Takasugi sees nothing but a creature forcing poise through pain.

He doesn't need a conclusion - his agenda doesn't hinge on the knots their communication may tie. Takasugi has come to confirm what he'd seen through the feed of the rescued party's boarding - a familiar boy surrounded by fire.

Though now, he supposes, those flames have long been extinguished.]

Heh. [Takasugi echoes Lavi's laugh, his voice stretched thin. From their cadence, one would assume their roles reversed - Lavi content among familiar holdings and Takasugi only narrowly slipping from the grip of death.] Three hours or so... [His confirmation is accompanied by a finger tapping idly on the stem of his pipe.] While we wait, I'd like to hear the story of Mother Nature's promise.

Unless you have something better for me. [He lets his body sink into a ledge on the wall, seated and sprawled. Running checks on the redhead had revealed am unfamiliar name - Lavi - and a particularly interesting association with a certain rough-spoken agent.

There are quite a few stories he wants to hear, and he has time enough to coax forth whichever threads he can twine his fingers in.]