Strange can't really help it. Even in this tense situation, he gives Rita a small smirk at the fact that he managed to scare her a little. He's still keeping the fire burning because it's not that much magic to do and because lord only knows that something might go terribly wrong at a moment's notice.

"We're helpless no matter what," Strange points out, not knowing a damn thing about Gild or how useful (or not) Team Loot might be. "Our contracts are under the Mother of Invention. We'll need to kill her or get her to transfer them to someone else for us to be truly free."

And Strange...honestly isn't sure if that's even going to happen. His smirk goes back to a frown as he looks at Ignatius.

"I think I'll wait for now. It would be stupid to give up my magic before I've exhausted all my options."