That bluntness might sting, especially coming from someone who already grates on his nerves so much, but a lifetime training under Cort has left Alain a hell of a lot thicker-skinned than that. He just closes his eyes for a moment, pushing back the headache that's starting to throb at his temples, and nods.

"Can't guarantee big and surprising," he says aloud, after a little while. He's decided to treat this as a test, some kind of exam in strategy. If he forgets who he's talking to, pictures Cort or Vannay in Jason's place, it might be less aggravating and a good deal less embarrassing. So he stares up at the ceiling, mulling it over. "Can't guarantee anything, if this last was anything to judge by. Can't believe anyone but a bedamned fool would look at me and think of lovers, either. When you say media circuit, what is it you're thinking?"