"We're still trying to find ways to deal with it effectively, um---" Jon moves his hand, patting Neil's arm, possibly a bit too heartily. The silence has not gone unnoticed, and he's doing everything he can to reel it back in. "Neil's quite educated on the matter, actually. He's much more well-spoken on the intricacies of the matter. Right?"

There's a look over, and a little smile, with the faintest ounce of desperation to it. Oh, god, this was falling apart right in front of him.