The stranger might be surprised to learn that 'lion' was not so far off. Half of his appearance was illusion anyway, he could easily make himself appear more human, but until he saw a necessity, he was more than content to show off.

Laing's momentary pause doesn't go unnoticed and makes his smile curl a little further.

"If he even does rule this place," Tez had his doubts. He'd known many emperors, most were found wanting. But the stranger's words pique his curiosity,"Are you one of these 'displaced'?"

And here he'd thought suddenly waking up in this strange city was somehow his brother's doing. Interesting.