[ He knew he'd won the moment Ray sat up straighter, seeming to wake up to the topic completely. Almost to the letter, Ray followed his line of thinking to the ultimate conclusion, but when he reached it Fraser immediately switched to evasive and cautious. No need to let Ray know he was playing right into his hands. ]

I wouldn't want to put you at an imposition, Ray.

[ Angry coffee slurping aside, he's rather pleased that it went so well, which absolutely doesn't show in the concern that masks his usual non-expression. Restless, Fraser circles the corner of the table again, pushing in his chair behind the desk and standing with his hands on the back of it. ]

I do however share your concerns. We may find ourselves required to display traits that include discipline, obedience, loyalty, and perhaps most challengingly an intimate familiarity with each other. To that end, Ray, I don't believe we should continue any further down this line of thinking until we've established that familiarity.

[ But what is he talking about? Intimate familiarity. Nothing good, right? ]

Our marks and scratches, scars and ink.