[ for the ten seconds or so that she seems taken aback by his outburst... it all gives way to laughter — not at him, but because she's been thinking the exact same thing. ]

I know what you mean! The first time I spoke to someone about the Galactic Senate and they regarded me like I was out of my mind... well, it's been strange. Of course, there are planets in my galaxy where the inhabitants don't travel away, but everyone knows of inter-planetary travel.