Being overlooked is, if nothing else, Benedict's greatest strength: that he can be overlooked at all is a testament to the work he's put in through the years, to neutralize a reputation so befouled he nearly lost his life over it.

"And then," he continues, measuredly, "...I hid." He clips off the end of the word like it's a punchline, but his eyes are too tired to carry any amusement. "I avoided everyone as long as I could. And failed, of course. I was found, and persuaded to confess."

'Persuaded' is a diplomatic way of putting it, but that's his division, after all--

"Which... I did. I told leadership everything, including the entire reason I was back here at all. I,"

another pause, like a gag that doesn't quite rise all the way, "I begged for mercy. And thus returned downstairs for a time. Until it could be decided what to do with me."