[if Damien notices Ren's pleasure at Akechi's assessment, he doesn't comment on it. instead, he hums, nods] It does. [Tifa's additions don't really detract from that, either. they're different, sure, but -- well, this place as much Tifa's space as it is Ren and Akechi's, and her half of that shows]

So, the theory holds, for now. [a beat] Not that I know how that piece fits into -- [a vague gesture] -- all this. [beyond maybe intent, but that feels like a given. there would be no point in bringing them all here at random]

... I wonder if they're trying to make us feel comfortable.