"I'm not stupid," Cory replied, sounding slightly offended. "Of course I know what a refugee is." His expression softened. "Were things really that bad on your own planet?"
"Yeah," Xen lied. "It was terrible. If I wanted any chance at a good life, I had to leave." He decided to change the subject, not wanting to lay it on too thick and make the native suspicious. "But your authorities wouldn't understand that, would they? They would only see me as a threat, even though I have no weapons. Here, search me!" He held his arms open wide. "I have absolutely nothing dangerous on my person, I swear!"