He is tired. He doesn't even care about showing that he's tired in front of him. As Asch starts to dip into laughter (however bitter) and jokes, Jade grows more serious. Apparently it's Opposite Day today here in the Tower.

"Oh, good, I'm glad to hear that," he says without cracking a smile. He shrugs one shoulder, dipping up another spoonful of oatmeal. "I feel much more comfortable being told directly that I'm in a torturous experimental facility than receiving written notes saying I was saved from global destruction out of the dubious goodness of my benefactors' hearts."

He pauses to eat a mouthful or two more. Then he continues, "You have confirmed this independently, then?"