[The houses of Krypton were as much family units as they were ways of organizing themselves as according to what they did, their works and goals, their shared aims. The House of El had long been associated with the Science Guild, well before Jor-El was alive, and even before that, their crest with hope as a concept.

The other man's apparent reaction to the idea of family working together is concerning, mercenary seeming.]

Colleagues.

[For whatever reason he suspects the concept of friendship is one the other man knows little of.]

You've looked into the matter, then.

[There's a hint of approval in his voice as he says that.]

It would be difficult to build any expectations with regards to something wholly unexpected like this without any foreknowledge.