[ His mouth opens; closes again. What on earth that has to do with whatever Kostos is hiding in his books, Ilias doesn't know, but the implication that it might certainly widens the scope of possibilities. ]

I... would return to the Grand Necropolis either way.

[ —is only half cop-out, half explanation. Maybe he'd be free to go into the city on his days off, and maybe he wouldn't. Maybe he'd be allowed visitors, or letters, or choice in his academic pursuits, and maybe he wouldn't. (Maybe he would be held accountable for his crimes, for Leander's by extension, and maybe he wouldn't.) The difference is not so significant in his mind that he considers it his business. Tries not to think about it at all, in fact. Another of his life's little luxuries, now scooting uncomfortably out of reach. ]

I believe structure is important. Safeguards. But what form that takes— [ A vague gesture. If he were trying to say what he thinks Kostos wants to hear (wasn't he a Loyalist, once?), he'd probably be doing a better job of it, but equivocation is still equivocation, and he can almost hear his young apprentice still, scoffing through his teeth.

With the slightest self-depreciating bite: ] Perhaps that is not something that should be decided by someone to whom the Circles were kind.

[ Considering. ]