[ Matt perked up at the confirmation that there were a diplomats around. It relieved him to hear there were adults in the room when it came to de-escalation. Actually, when he thought back on the people he'd met here so far, Matt noticed an interesting and helpful diversity. A doctor, a handful of deities, actual experts in combat, apparently diplomats--

And him, it seemed.

Matt's smile warmed with unexpected pleasure, a bright-glowing thing. Maybe the end of the world had scrambled his long-term memory, but he couldn't remember the last time someone had said something so nice to him. ]

... Thanks. [ His tone was more reserved than his expression, but still transparently pleased. ] Seriously, that means a lot. I haven't really talked to many people about the whole repertoire; they didn't really go in for magic back home.