Hm. That's a fair assessment. Yes, they're certainly capable of making decisions, at least as far as I know. That seems like the simplest explanation, which is usually also the right one.

[ For a moment, Ryan is quiet while fastening a particular lantern that doesn't seem to want to stay put for no particular reason. ]

So you're not a local. I mean, that was already obvious. And neither am I... probably also obvious.

How long have you been here, then?

[ Other than trying to make casual conversation, he's sort of wondering what the non-native population is like. The only way he knows how to do that is to go out and just... ask. This place had plenty of resources, but it doesn't really occur to him to look on the internet.

Besides, he likes talking to people. You get a better feel for things than through nameless, toneless text. ]