Hephaestus had been deliberately trying to blend. It was one of the simplest ways to learn about people: let them go on and do their thing and try to interfere as little as possible. Now however, he was drawn back into the conversation, and on the very subject he had been so hoping to avoid. He wasn't about to lie about it though, so he would have to hope that his earlier impression spoke louder than his Order's reputation. Or perhaps he was simply going to have to stop feeling so irked by some of the members and accept it for what it was. That might take some time though. Hephaestus was many things, but swift to change was not one of them.
"Yes. I was inducted into the Free Council some time ago." He didn't smile, but his face softened ever so slightly. Whether it was embarrassment at admitting that (or embarrassment at being embarrassed) or a more pleasant thought wasn't clear. In truth, it was a mix of both. For all his occasional feeling of being out of place with the predominantly younger, more...interesting...members, there was a great deal of things to be admired about its ideals, especially about the nature of magic. Within a moment, the original look on his face returned as the thought was dispelled. He spent too much time dwelling on that as it was.
"Though I admit, I was somewhat conflicted. There were many things about the Mysterium that would have been a strong choice. I have a friend or two there however."