Charlie wasn't completely out of steam, but he had been running for at least a solid hour at this point, and figured maybe he should cut himself a break before his legs gave out. Sure, he had pushed himself harder before, but he wasn't going to voice this as Laken slowed, Charlie following suit. Running a hand through his messy hair, pushing back stray strands that had fallen out of his now slightly loose bun of red, he couldn't help but make a face that could only be interpreted as concern while Laken spoke.
"Killed, yes," he said in agreement, a slow nod. "But from what I've been hearing, others disappeared as well, which probably means they're experiencing the same..." what really was the word he wanted to use here? Nothing seemed appropriate. "Treatment as those who were allowed on the streets last full. Right now, it just seems as though this is looking to be a repeating cycle that unless things are changed at the head, will continue on." Every part of Charlie wanted to mention 'cutting off the head', but he still wasn't entirely sure how far he wanted to get into this. It was still a dangerous topic, even if Laken and himself were on the same page.
"If any of those who have been held there do manage to break away, or are say, temporarily taken in by those not a part of the Ministry, well, it's going to be a long road. More... rehabilitation than recapturing. But how do you earn the trust of people who have gone through such gross abuses while also trying to convince them that they're safe and accepted, when historically speaking up until present times, that is actually not the case." Sighing he shook his head. "Feels like all of it is a crap chute, but what else is really new?"
"Did you want to take over their farm before all this then?" he asked curiously. "Not really sure. Would probably be off somewhere. Maybe with dragons, maybe with some other creature that struck my fancy. Dragons are my first love, don't get me wrong, but they're also a younger man's game, and I know I can't keep up my reflexes forever." Chuckling slightly he took a deep breath as though to demonstrate.