[ The wrong thing, then. He nods, understanding, and doesn't flinch at all in the face of her ferocity. He seems to understand it, because she's not the first opposed to magic that he's met. He can understand the distaste, just based on stories he's heard from others, so he nods. ]

I won't, I promise. Not unless you give me permission.

[ He has a bag at his side, and with a gesture that says "wait a second", he reaches into it and grabs something, though he doesn't show it to her yet. ]

But no, I'm not here for your debt or your loyalty, I promise. That's not how Meridian does things. That's not the way I do things. [ The slightest of digs at Yima, sssh ] Did Lady Yima tell you anything about Meridian? About what we're trying to do?