[ He takes a moment, hand rubbing at the back of his neck. ]

All of us spent a while being unaware of what we were really a part of. For instance... none of us remembered signing a contract prior to starting the game. Our missing memories gradually came back with each week we were participating, but it wasn't until the final days that we started to learn the truth.

[ There's a quiet, but faintly tense exhale. ]

Yeah?

[ He's reaching into his pocket, pulling out a decent-sized bowl of what looks like... freshly-made soup? There's a lid on it, at least... ]

Guess my tricks as a magician won't be as impressive to you, then. [ the grin is tired, but he's... trying to lighten the mood? ] Bummer.