His persistant grin is accompanied by a wrinkling on the barely sloped bridge above; Bitterkeit reeks of something the Historian hasn't the experience to identify. He rises to meet the visitor, respectful all the same. Indeed, comes his curt reply, polite and pointed. There is no mention that Basma abandoned his homeland, just as it needn't be said that Bitterkeit has clearly lived here, alone and unaccounted, ever since. They inquire on his activities while surveying the lodging--insinuation obvious, and the halfbreed bites back any agression the quip had meant to inflict. As a member of the Ministry, bedding among them is his right. There being only two is an unfortunately awkward afterthought.

He knows how to navigate the other's instigatons. Conversations with this very Bacchus were how Basma practiced debate, in fact. Working, of course, he allays lightly. Unlike some of us... Had you come to see Rainer? I'm afraid he's not in. The Historian blithely oversteps an accusation beneath him to even address, and plays a proud housewife instead. If he is fraternizing with the alpha, it's not for power.

Uncharacteristically charitable-- a clear entrapment to anyone aware of his upbringing (as Bitterkeit well is), he offers an alternative. Is it anything I could assist in?