[By now he's sitting on the floor, also looking weary, but he lifts his head at this and regards Aymeric with a very faint smile.]

. . . Thank you. Anyway. I'm aligned with lowering Bugbear, even if we never quite formally closed that deal. I don't especially care if they don't choose to lower us in exchange. I can't think of any reason I'd regret the choice, at least not in the first round. And as for raising . . . I have no firm opinion just yet, but my first inclination is to pick a popular team. One we know has an alliance . . . Phoenix. Basilisk is sure to lower them. Although there's always the risk that everyone else will have the same thought . . . ha.