[ Nikolai is a cipher. He likes confusing people. Makes them uncertain about how to deal with him. Once someone is uncertain, then they don't notice if he changes, shifts, and he can be whatever he wants to be. It's a really useful skill.

But when he laughs it's from Vanadi's words, because it's so blatantly false. ]

Either you tell truth, or you lying, and if you lying you always lie, then that is form of truth itself. [ He tips his head slightly. ] Very clever.

[ His hand comes back to the mask. Makes a small circle around the very tip. ]

You wear mask to be polite?