*looks up in sheer surprise to see you (how long has he been here?)*
*has the sudden, silly impulse to get out his phone and check his ecthelion@fountain.gov.go inbox on the heels of the next thought (what's wrong?) but surely you cannot be here to talk about work*
*a touch warily (it's not like their non-work-related conversations have been especially pleasant lately)* No, I'm not. Pull up a chair.