[A clean, elegant, lavishly decorated suite in a way that feels somehow barren. He recalls that Tseng had said he's only been here a month, so perhaps that can be attributed to time. Yet Sasuke also can't pretend he would ever know what to do with this much space himself. And there is that quality in the man — a familiar composure, coolness of intellect and demeanor — that he doesn't disregard.]

Then I can't say that I envy you. Despite the treatment of the lower ranks, the anonymity is useful. [Far more than celebrity would be.] It still seems there's no reason or logic behind these assignments of rank.

[Sasuke heads into the living room, eyes lingering with intrigue on the delicate orchid. Something tender and alive — was it deliberately put here by Tseng?]

Just water is fine. I didn't mean for you to host me so... formally. [Look, he's bad at this.] But I appreciate that you reached out.