"Very good," Ba'al says with some genuine praise in his voice. "You should be delighted to know I am not in need of a bodyguard. Here, especially. I have no interest in revenge, at least, not against you or anyone like you. I have no desire to hurt you unless that was something you gained a particular sort of pleasure from."

He glances briefly to the food as it cooks. "My interest in you is much more basic but you are right of one thing. I do believe you could be a powerful ally," he says, then adds, "If interested. Otherwise, I will do what you requested tonight and that can be the end of our association." He follows that up with a brief pat to his shoulder then turns to his seat.