[ As per usual, Sholmes blithely tramples his way through a delicate topic, only vaguely aware of the damage left in his wake. But he marches on to the next subject with equal ease. ]

We have a number of candidates accustomed to public service, don't we? Dr. Mikotoba, Lord van Zieks, Mr. Seventy-Six ...

[ His eyes drift to those two men currently at the function, exhales and shakes his head. ] Although I'm just as certain each of them would roundly decline such a seat.

[ Then he looks back to Beatrix, brows arched. ] Pray, tell me more about this gentleman you're prodding. Was he amenable to the idea?