[ It never hurts to keep a low profile, does it? Brad would much rather be behind the scenes than a figurehead of anything. He doesn't mind taking credit where it's due; he also doesn't need it, much like he doesn't need a target on his back. So that she doesn't know who he is isn't a surprise. It's not unwelcome, either. There's a certain advantage to being able to control your own introduction, make your own first impression.

Especially when chances are pretty good you'll be seeing a lot of one another. His smile broadens ever so slightly, stays relatively warm. ]

Brad. That it is.

[ And why wouldn't it be? The mere fact that she's out and about suggests that she's important on some level. Who's to say whether or not they'll get along in the long run, but in the meantime — on a surface level, at least — they're on the same side. He'd prefer they get along now. ]

It's been an interesting week, hasn't it? [ That's pretty neutral ground. Small talk, really. Might as well be commenting on the weather. ] Can't say I'm used to dramatics like that where I'm from. And not a whole lot of us stuck around here, did we?

[ But we did. He's certainly interested in finding out what that means. ]