Just two? Must be getting rusty, [ he replies, unconcerned but without any real malice. If the man in front of him is seeing anything uncomfortably familiar in a Sorcerer Supreme's confident posturing, Stephen's completely oblivious to it as he instead focuses on whether or not the guy's willing to cooperate.

And – if the resigned shoulders are any indication – he at least recognizes why it wouldn't be a bad idea. If I could leave, I would have done. Stephen's half-smile fades as his expression turns more serious. ]

Exactly. [ He leans forward in the rattan chair, its tropical bird-patterned cushions a stark contrast to his shift in tone. ] Haven't found anyone else yet who's as... potent as you, which means that as far as I can tell, if you can't get out of here, no one can.

[ His eyes narrow. ] No individual, anyway. But your magic's different from what I'm familiar with, and from your end, I'm sure mine is too. If we can figure out the blind spots on each other's sides, combine them, then maybe... [ He trails off. Figures that regardless wherever the guy's moral compass might point, it's best to go for broke and figure it out. ] ...We can get everyone home. For good.

[ No one's ever accused Stephen Strange of being under-ambitious. ]