[ So much easier to talk through his thoughts with someone there. It hardly matters if the fellow is terribly engaged or talkative in turn just right then. He doesn’t mind the reticient company compared to the alternatives.

Humming thoughtfully to himself, he takes a sip of his wine. ]

Do correct me if anything seems off. We’re abducted to a city of inexplicable abundance, yet not even a bird in the sky. Information carefully curated. Movement apparently restricted. [ He gestures idly in time with his words, counting his way what’s been rattling through his head. ] Oh, and that every movement tracked, too, no doubt.

Something nasty’s got us right in the palm of its hand.