[ there he goes, rambling. lu bixing is still talking about theorizing and science and research and malibu listens again. even though they're paying attention, lu bixing may get the sense that their gaze seems to be drifting elsewhere to something else in the room. their head is turned just slightly, obviously watching something else, but not enough to completely tune him out.

when he finishes, their attention returns to him. ]

That still sounds like a lot of science. Even if I think finding joy in being wrong sounds a little stupid. [ but they don't seem to think any of that is necessarily wrong even if it isn't really in their wheelhouse. it's very obvious they're thinking all of this over, but they're leaving the topic behind. it's q&a time, not philosophy and science hour. ] There's all kinds of ways we can torture you. That's what we're here for! But the hangovers might get you before we do. Hell alcohol's pretty strong, and if your tolerance isn't, well...

[ they shrug! ]

You won't stand a chance without it.