"Yes. You could have put me down five minutes ago." Which was an exaggeration. "I didn't realize you were waiting on permission." Or an order. Also, that was to cover him being embarrassed. Embarrassment made him snarky. ...Snarkier.

"Drone. Remote controlled toy, something that could be fired, even, would work well enough in creating distance, though it would be best if it could keep moving. Something light with wings, perhaps."

Yep, still going on.