[ His eye follows the trajectory of the fork, even though there's no real need to bother. His amicable expression dims, and what's left behind as he regards the tables around them nearly looks wistful. ]

A complicated question, and one that resists a simple yes or no. Do you mean to ask if I believe all the grand promises that have been made tonight, or that this gala will do anything more than excite gossip columns for a few weeks? Then, no, I do not.

[ He turns his gaze back to Robo, then, the corner of his mouth quirked in a wry smile. ]

What I do believe is that, every so often, you can find someone who doesn't resist being dragged into the modern era quite as vigorously as most do. Sometimes, that someone might even be one of the right people. It's too valuable of an opportunity to pass up.