If his smile turns slightly knowing for a second, that's between them-- maybe later he'll react more; tonight's all business, despite is apparently light attitude. Some of his cheer right now is for the benefit for everyone but himself - he's inclined to take this a little more seriously, a little more militant, but he knows very few other people actually come from such regimented backgrounds. He's also very invested in not giving the native forces any reason to become unhappy with their presence.

"I'm alert, but there's no point in doom and gloom. This coalition is an unprecedented effort between these cities, and I'd rather nobody head in there braced for something terrible. Leave that for us out here."

About the ring, he shrugs. "I'll let you know if I need it for anything, but go ahead and hang onto it. I'm pretty good at getting hit as it is."