Well, I could actually do with some clarification here as well. How much time should you give someone for an engagement notice to "sink in"? For example, a pirate in a barghest is sitting at a tradelane when a vigilante in an eagle pops out of it. They start having an RP conversation, with the vigilante telling the pirate to stop disrupting the trade lane or he will open fire. The pirate responds, saying that he doesn't want to leave the trade lane, and ends his sentence with "and now, it's time for you to die" (or something similar), as an engagement notice. Does the pirate then have the right to instantly launch an SN/MR combo at the vigilante (who is likely to be standing still, typing another line of RP) or should the pirate allow some time for the message to "sink in" and for the vigilante to start moving?
Also, what are the rules regarding something along the lines of: A pirate (yes, again) is sitting at a trade lane. A trader appears this time and, when presented with a demand, is completely silent. The pirate tells the trader that he has five seconds to respond or the pirate will open fire. Five seconds pass with no response. Does his threat count as an engagement notice, or should a second notice be given?