[ The oppressive process of ruination is one thing, but however bad things are, Brandon's conclusions from his observation of the kitchen before Qetzi'ah returned still hold. It's all a mess, yet she must be the one putting flowers here and there; there must be something for her to eat, or a room she calls her own, even if it's just this one. So there might be something, and besides, the more information he has, the more effort he can put into her gift. ]

Well, I can only entertain Master Morrison for so long. [ The fine thread of irony in that statement can be passed over as self-deprecation, in the interest of plausible deniability. ] And if I could be of any use... please. Feel free to order me about.

[ The easy phrasing of that, the smile that goes with it, it all falls somewhere between childlike and gentlemanly. ]