He nods, and then shrugs. "As long as you don't get caught at it, it's no trouble."
"I suppose, but what a nuisance." He gives Alf an annoyed look over his shoulder, saying, "If I'm less likely to punch him, then aren't you more likely to punch him if he talks over your head?" Transferring the narrow glare back to Rus for that adjective choice, he lets his eyes relax wider, even wide, looks solemnly up at Rus through his ashes. "Am I really?"
"You don't. Have a drink," he suggests. Eyes flicking back to Alf, he comments in amusement, "Well, I think you've hooked him on your end. Give him an answer now, or shall I flub a round first?"
I shall try to be comforted? ;) Btw, the temporal fluidity of threads is so convenient. (g) Whyfore? Oh--my class starts at 7 and tends to begin on the early side, so if I don't get to the Holmesthread comment in the next few hours, that's why.