Rules? They seem more like guidelines. [His attempt at pop culture reference humor falls flat, even to his own ears.

He sighs and puts his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands.] I'm guessing the Empress didn't give any assurances to anybody who was in mortal danger when they got press-ganged, [he says. He's heard enough people gently mincing around the answer by now to take the hint. The Multiverse Hero Claw Machine takes people when it takes them, apparently at random. If you're in the midst of getting yourself killed when it nabs you, well, that's your own business.]

I'd better start settling in, then. [He ought to at least try to enjoy himself while he's here. Since there's a not insignificant chance that he'll be flash-fried by a nuclear explosion upon his return.]