[ Although it clearly seems to be a deflection, it's fine by him. The interest is not so gripping that he can't set it aside. And then Root comes to grace them with some good timing, and he turns to her, gaze settling on what she chose to bring back.

Right, that should be a good social lubricant. ]

Kind of, but it didn't get very far without you. You left out the part about how you died when you said you thought your boss had sent you here.

[ Just add her to the list of like half the people he knows. Very concerning. ]