That's probably the intention. Luckily, Syrlya can play along with a farce. And Rita has ways of talking without using words.

He sets the basket onto the ground before reaching back to pluck a petal from one of the roses and offering it to Rita.

"I would like this back," he starts, giving her a steady look and hoping she can work with the implication. "But I wondered if it was juat me that thought this bud was different after my last trial."

Hopefully a petal is a good substitute for a bead.