(Open) Between the velvet lies

[Albert Wesker]

For his part, Kuzan did a very respectable imitation of a man who wasn't very interested in the goings-on around him, focusing as intently as he could on the business at hand. He was, of course, keeping alert for anything drastically wrong in his surroundings, but events seemed to be...quite under control, on that front. Dio's hope that the short, but obviously severe and devastating beating he had received from the short little man -- who was apparently a demon in some form of disguise or other, in a shocking turn of events -- shouldn't damage their belief in his own abilities was met with only partial acceptance. The display of strength from the short man had been more than impressive, and the former Admiral knew he wouldn't have fared any better. Indeed, he might have fared worse. And so he couldn't fault Dio for the swiftness with which he had been left on the ground, pleading for mercy. And so he was inclined to give the arrogant man the benefit of the doubt in that he was at least as competent as his claims made him out to be.

The basic layout of the plan that Dio offered then was met with only a vague, slow nodding motion from Kuzan, as if he were pondering its merits with deep and earnest thought. It did indeed seem to be a viable plan, in its most general sense, but it was practically a given that it wouldn't be smooth sailing in any sense of the word. And of course, luring the beast into such a situation in the first place wouldn't be easy, either. Further conversation in regards to the plan was momentarily cut off as the short little demon-man made his anger known. And the sheer amount of rage in the air made even the ice-man nearly crack his until-then impassive expression, shifting slightly in his seat, and making it more than a little obvious he was pointedly ignoring looking at the source of the explosion of outrage.

And so he merely sat back and waited, as the rage was eventually contained, the play resumed, and dinner was rolled out. For his part, Dio would go on, after finishing his appetizer, and reveal more details of his plan. And the snowman could only once again offer a slow, slight, thoughtful nod. It was sensible enough that it could work, if they could get everything set up right. And with any luck, he wouldn't need to take any part in that himself. He'd never been much for planning and organizing things, despite once holding the position of Admiral. All of the internal work had left him groaning and more defeated than any battle or military event ever had.

Dio's subsequent speech and ending of the event earned a long sigh from Kuzan. It wasn't that he was especially glad for the event to be over, so much as he was just...exhausted, in more ways than one. He reached up, removing the mask, and placed it on the table before him, still within reach. It might do for a souveneir of the....interesting event. He rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to relieve an ache that had sprung up from his posture at the table, before slowly rising. "No questions from me." He lifted a hand in a gesture of farewell, before he scooped his mask up in his opposite hand. "Until tomorrow, I suppose." And he turned and strode away, taking his time and more slowly meandering his way toward the exit than making any sort of hurry to be on his way.

It wasn't as if he was in any hurry to be anywhere, after all. Just needed to find some way to stay occupied until tomorrow.

....maybe he would take up that offer of staying here for the night, after all...