[He can’t help but blush and chuckle as he rubs the short hairs in the back of his head. Such things coming out of the mouth of a man with a likewise very pleasant voice.]

…Good. All rehearsed, then? Let’s get to it. … Though I can’t help but notice how much better you compliments are than mine. Ah… Not that it matters much. But you have quite the way with words, Your Majesty.

[Smash cut sequence of Cid taking off his coat, thwacking torches, recovering the key, then dealing with the shooting gallery. Easy. Cid sighs. He reaches for cigars that aren’t there, but he doesn’t know why he did that at all anyway. An impulse gnaws at his nerves.]

Alright. I hope you remember your lines.

[Cid turns to face Barnabas, keeping his head tilted towards him as he rocks his shoulders.]