[ Cid is well accustomed to this sort of response to his charming sense of humour. His hand lingers perhaps a moment too long before it's gone. Would that he could ease more of that tension from Dion's shoulders, but he supposes that this is a start. ]

I'll look forward to your debut, then. [ It ought to be teasing, but it leans too soft for that.

Cid expects that to be the end of it, but Dion speaks into the beat of silence. Natural inventor? Genius? Who the hell's been feeding him this? Cid is already shaking his head. He waves his hand irritably, as if he can physically brush the words away, though that gods damned flush of colour has somehow returned to his face. ] That's a bit much, isn't it? [ Cid turns back to him, gesturing as he speaks, full of exasperation. ] It's all I can do to keep up with what they've got here. And the Enterprise is Midadol's ship... it was our ship.

[ He trips over his words on the last bit, just barely.

Cid cards his fingers through his hair, rubbing the back of his neck with a sigh. This is all beside the point. ] Look... Clive felt the same as you do; a whole life dedicated to nothing but death. And just like him, here you are, trying your damnedest to live and do something useful with that life. Don't sell yourself short on account of an old fool.

[ He holds out a hand. ] You have a deal, anyway. Show me yours and I'll show you mine.