[ Rafa gazes at Hunter. This is not the reaction he hoped for. His temper snaps almost immediately, given the short leash he has it on today. ]

Do not be ridiculous, Hunter!

[ He stalks backwards, making the thralls hastily clear a path as Rafa returns to his thrown. His gestures are sharp and stark, his hand cutting through the air. ]

I am as well as I have ever been. It is time for us to stop pretending we are on holiday. Our empire languishes on the brinks of collapse, and this world is a waypoint to hundreds, if not thousands more. We begin here. Now take your seat, before I suppose you stand against me.