"No thank-you," Skander replied automatically when Emily asked if he wanted water. The way she was looking at him was slightly disconcerting, and reminded him a bit of the way he looked at witnesses for the other side. As if trying to get them to break or something.

Straightening up Skander took a moment to think about his answer to the question she asked. "I've been well, and of course I enjoy working for the MLE. It wasn't where I necessarily thought I'd end up when I moved here but it's genuinely enjoyable and rewarding work for the most part," was the answer he decided on settling on. Hopefully it sounded good enough to Emily. He was hoping that his request form for the pay raise hadn't given her the impression that he was unhappy working in this department.