"Discrimination against other species? Um, caring a lot about bloodlines. Holding very old grudges."

"Well, I suppose it's convenient for me if they don't care to discriminate against other species too much."

"I think the impression is formed mainly from how they are with Gnolls. I don't know how well it translates to humans. They're the Drakes' wartime leaders, and the north and south are at war like half the time, so it might swing the other way? I'm just guessing here. But if you're there as a guest you'll probably be fine."

He nods. "I'll most likely go with them. - they want to talk to me there, here won't do for some reason."

Shrug. "A power move? Or internal politics, or something. I got moved a few times and the staff looked different each time, so I think they were trading custody of me around."

"There's an individual who wants to do it face-to-face, I'm not sure if it's for Skill application reasons or if she doesn't trust her agents, and she doesn't care to leave her city from what I hear."

"...well, maybe they don't want to travel two weeks to see you and think they're more important so you should go to them."

"That could easily also be a factor."

"I don't know if there's anything else I can think of off the top of my head. If you prompt me some more I might?"

"Well, Zeres already wanted to interview me for being known as an associate of yours so probably I shouldn't ask questions solely out of curiosity in case it's important that I not know quite what you've been up to even if they'd be useful prompts... how surprised would you be if I gave them what they wanted and then they decided to re-arrest you or tip off Zeres or something of that kind? How surprised would you be if I went to Manus to talk to them and then didn't return?"

"I would be pretty surprised about the first thing. They don't gain that much from handing me over and I'd blab about the deal and it'd hurt their reputation, that they went back on their word. On your side... I dunno. You're a pretty high-profile guy and I feel like we'd know if Manus made a habit of disappearing public figures. But also, if there were one Walled City that routinely disappeared people without anyone catching on, I feel like it'd be Manus?

"But if you're asking literally 'would I be surprised' if that happened then... yes, I think I would? Most of the uncertainty is just I dont know what they want you for.

"............and it is probably not important that you don't know what I've been up to. Though I also don't think it's particularly relevant?"

"It might also not be relevant, but some things it could be that I do not currently know it not to be might have bearing," he shrugs.

"I helped some people break some other people out of jail. Zeres was going to trade them to Salazsar's penal mines... they were arrested for unnatural acts."

"I don't know what that means here."

"...Having sex with people of the same sex, mainly."

"I didn't realize that was illegal."

"Drakes really hate it. Ancestors something something place in the world whatever."

"Well, just the other day I was told that some things I had always taken for granted were 'human things' so I don't think I'm qualified to evaluate how that's working for them, but I have no particular doubt that it was a Good act to free the prisoners and hope they made a clean getaway."

"They—I guess I shouldn't comment on whether anyone made a clean getaway. Was that relevant to your concerns?"

"I don't think so, but it might ever be important to know that Drakes have this norm and gnolls don't," he shrugs.

"Yep, that's... probably good."

"Is there anything you need or would like me to relay for you?"

"My family may... not necessarily be more reassured to know I'm in Manus' custody. I think I'm good. Um, thank you again for doing this."

"You're welcome."

"If there's anything I can do for you, now or in the future, I'll do whatever I can."