[ By smiles, at once rather wary and genuinely flattered by the fact that this fellow knows so much about him. It's advantageous to remain an unknown, after all, but it's damned unsatisfying, sometimes. It's good for the ego to be gossiped about.

Only half-disingenuously, he replies: ]

Self-interest. I dislike war immensely. Fellows like me so often end up being lined against walls and shot. I was high-born, back in my original colony, before turmoil turned me into a refugee, you see. [ He tilts his head very slightly to the side. ] I hear the Empress will open her ears to someone who's handsome and hedonistic enough to catch her attention. No?