“I’m the prisoner here. I requested the conversation. I’m the one who wants to learn something.” He gestured to Steve, following tactics he’d seen Loki employ many times. Flattery, but only just so, was immediately followed up by setting the stage for the other person to lay their entire selves and their arguments bare. He could pick things more easily apart this way and hopefully offer rebuttals or learn the way to get himself into the good graces of those holding them here. And that was all that mattered at this early stage of the game.

He could not risk losing any more of his people. Not until they knew their likely fate.

Anthony sat not at the head of the table, but close to it, hands folded. He never cared to be at a table, it felt unnatural to him, especially when there weren’t benches but individual chairs.

Nothing about this felt communal and that was what his life had always been.

He doubted Steve would understand so he did not offer this to him immediately, even if presenting a vulnerability could work in his favour here.