diff --git a/packages/web/src/App.svelte b/packages/web/src/App.svelte
index bdfd890..da48038 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/App.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/App.svelte
@@ -2683,11 +2683,16 @@
           {#if !net.challenge && !net.players.includes(net.keeper) && net.players.length + net.expected.length < 6}
             <div class="challenge-row">
               <button class="stamp quiet-lid" onclick={() => net.challengeKeeper()}
-                title="{net.keeper} keeps this table and gets a call; if they can come they take the seat, and either way they may leave a word here">
+                title="a raven flies to {net.keeper}, who keeps this table">
                 ⚔ Challenge {net.keeper}, the keeper</button>
+              <div class="challenge-note">{net.keeper} keeps this table and answers every raven — sometimes within the minute,
+                sometimes after a night's sleep. The seat is held either way.</div>
             </div>
           {:else if net.challenge}
-            <div class="challenge-note">{net.keeper} has been called by {net.challenge.by}. If they can come, they take their seat; if not, they may leave a word below.</div>
+            <div class="challenge-note">The raven has flown to {net.keeper}, called by {net.challenge.by}. A seat is held for them:
+              if they can come now, they will take it; if they are at supper, or asleep, or off in the world, they will
+              leave a word below when they can. Meanwhile the table is yours — seat a clockwork wizard, invite a friend,
+              or leave the room on the ledger and come back to it later.</div>
           {/if}
           <!-- Talk before the boards flip: to say when, or to leave a word. -->
           {@const lobbyTalk = net.log.filter((l) => l.text.startsWith("\u{1F4AC}")).slice(-6)}
diff --git a/packages/web/src/net.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/net.svelte.ts
index 0cb7c28..cbc7507 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/net.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/net.svelte.ts
@@ -720,7 +720,7 @@ class Net {
   create(name: string): void {
     this.you = name;
     this.spectating = false;
-    this.send({ type: "create", name });
+    if (!this.send({ type: "create", name })) this.flash("Still reaching the table — try again in a moment");
   }
 
   /** Take a seat in the Peanut Gallery: watch a game with no name and no voice. */
@@ -737,7 +737,9 @@ class Net {
     const existing = this.seats.find(
       (s) => s.roomId === this.roomIdPending && s.name === name,
     );
-    this.send({ type: "join", roomId, name, token: existing?.token ?? this.token });
+    if (!this.send({ type: "join", roomId, name, token: existing?.token ?? this.token })) {
+      this.flash("Still reaching the table — try again in a moment");
+    }
   }
 
   /** Sit back down at a remembered seat. */