Trying to get a rise out of us, or lord their position above us.

[ which means they'll slip up, he hopes.

but he considers that thoughtfully, sitting back a bit, mulling. he's wiser than he was when he was younger, but he's still not necessarily The Brain. ]

Perhaps... the lack of affliction and temptation here would point more towards distance, wouldn't it. That could mean that it can't reach us here for some reason.