[The sincerity is almost surprising, and he turns to look at her before getting a hold of himself.]

Unfortunately, any attempt to look further was... discouraged. I was still relatively new to my position as Executor. I had a lot of new eyes on me. If I made any metaphorical waves, it could have gone very badly for me.

I can only guess. It may have had something to do with her line of work. Dealing with quadrants always has the potential to be extremely... messy. Yet considering it was a subjugglator, I really cannot say. She may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time with an unsatisfactory joke.

[He hushes Dural when she gives an affectionate coo in Disciple's direction. It is a strange kind of hope that she doesn't recognize the bird, although, really, it's hard to mistake a lusus.