Hyperion found himself wincing with the fact that the other man didn't respond to his ramblings - which, obviously he knew he was rambling but he just couldn't seem to be able to stop it. That said, there was at least some nodding so it was possible that Hyperion wasn't coming across as idiotic as he feared he was.
"Ah, you say that now, just wait 'til you know me," Hyperion replied with a cheeky grin, appreciating the firm grasp and the small smile the other man - Zacharias - was giving him. He let his hand drop, possibly a moment too late, but he hoped that nothing would be read into it. "Aye, I think I've seen you as well. I have a recollection of you being called Smith at some sort of meeting." He lifted his eyebrows and scratched his chin with interest, "Currently the book club is reading 1984 by George Orwell," he replied with a nod. "We meet at the London Library, there's me and one other, person of a similar background shall we say, and then nine muggles. Excellent way to read good books and keep in shape."