"Yes, but you aren't a member of the carnival," Strange points out, like this is the most obvious thing in the world. You're a moss oak, Syrlya, get with the program, you're a completely different type of tree to begin with.

And then the obvious hits him: oh God, the Ringmaster signed new people on during Shabon. Christ, what was she doing? Why would she think something like that was a good idea? Strange's expression goes from confusion to annoyance in a matter of moments.

"Well, tree, since you are a member of the carnival, I suppose I should fill you in on how things work around here. Ostensibly there are supervisors, but in reality there's far too much chaos for those things to matter much. If you wish to learn magic, I can teach you. If you wish to learn fighting, Lambert can teach you. You should learn one or the other or you'll become firewood soon enough."

And Strange gets the giggles at his intensely stupid joke.