[ The coughing fits might get under Erik's skin due to old wounds that will never really heal. But he's mature enough to recognize at this point that it's not Thane's fault, the man just has a cough. And it's more likely that Erik's chronic insomnia will prove more of a headache for Thane than the other way around.

Erik nods. ]

Were you taken from Earth as well? [ Subtext: are you a mutant? Hope springs eternal, even in the unlikeliest of places. ] I find myself more than a little curious as to our gracious host's ultimate goal with this misadventure.