In another world, Severus will develop subterfuge skill beyond anyone's imagination; in this world, in his lifetime, that capacity has been re-directed into assassination. He is still eloquent, smart, sharp - but that ability to manipulate words is so deeply entrenched in a viciousness that he can't fake it, and though he's got a better-than-expected handle on his temper, that handle doesn't extend to the impulses.

Very calmly murdering someone who's offended or frustrated him him is worse than yelling at them for it; neither are constructive. Severus realizes this. Thus, they are here.

(Not... that he's some kind of mindless killer, just that shit happens, and he'd rather be left unbothered.)

"This isn't an industry I'd like to remain in entrenched in," he admits, with all the icy aloofness one might expect of him. "But it's something that can be very profitable very quickly, and leave the both of us with more time and means to move forward with."