The hit didn't connect, that was okay. Now Eric shifted positions and tried an attack. Sam showed his preoccupation, and the kid was right in thinking like this.
Hell, this dance would be a little more tense than imaginated. Also, a little more interesting. Fractal liked challenges.
"Mr. Cathay" tone changed. He seemed annoyed; not offended, but it's as if a kid had doubted his statement that he was older. It would amuse him, but not in a comfortable way.
"Mr. Fjordson, it's the second time this day you doubt my words. Even though it's just the first time I set my eyes physically on you. Your logic statements are good logic statements, I will grant you that, but this is not a mathematical or philosophical class. A perfect logic is not a safe argument. I am not one to be annoyed."
Time to change roles. Fractal needed to attack, but in a way that the fist would seems to be Fjordson's. He needed Eric to feel like he was the agressive one trying to punch someone stronger than him, and realizing his mistake.
Mr. Cathay sights again, filling the place with his perturbed presence. "You know, Eric, you can leave this place anytime if you want. If you do it now, things will just run as they would if you haven't come; even though you are being a really inconvenient and inappropriate guest, I will blame it on your stress and bad temper. We may still talk, but I would advise you to change your manners. Or else I will judge you being so impolite not just a situational thing, and I'm not one to stand quietly to chosen bad manners."
It was a bet. A risky bet, but Fractal was confident of his art.
Anyway, he had a taser right at hand if the need arises, and was already planning how to dismiss the guards if the situation calls for it.