"Who ever asks to be born at all?" His tone remained chipper, of course. He was fanciful about the whole magic ability, though he could understand the danger of it as well. "So, you were like a slave for your abilities then?" There was a pang of familiarity in the tale of subjugation, though everyone in the undercity generally had no fantastical abilities. "Well, I think your abilities are neat."

Vander noticed the walk, of course, but he said nothing about it. He was puffing on the cigar with the box of beer still under his arm, and he willingly took the bottle and drank a swig from it. He used the neck of the bottle to gesture towards their destination.

"Ah well, at least when you're already a ground zero on the approval level, you honestly only have upwards to go," he remarked. He experienced much the same at this point from everyone but... maybe one person? At least Jayce thought he wasn't a complete disappointment; he couldn't read Viktor yet. "Is there a reason you live with a guy who is constantly disappointed in you? Or just comfort in the familiarity of the place?"