[And here, at last, is a true note of familiar territory. Wysteria straightens, the line of her chin and jaw just faintly elevated in what is that equally universal language for I'm so glad you noticed and your sarcasm had been noted.]

No sir, I am not. Thank you for understanding. --Now, you will of course keep me updated should you run into any trouble acquiring the necessary funding and materials, as either may require a revision of the design. In turn, I will provide you with the original schematics of each iteration once I've copied them. Once we have a working prototype of the firing mechanism, we will take it and the design to the Provost.

Are we in agreement?

[She puts out her hand, expectant.]