King Elk Forest i know my personality's not perfectly cultured

analytically he watches her; something is clearly off. for a moment he thinks it must be him, that she must know and he's hurt her (and he doesn't blame her, even if he knows he intends to make no designs towards the morwinyon, who seems, thankfully, completely oblivious) - but then she explains. "isn't that .. the whole point of the .. mates thing?" the androgyne asks, annoyed at himself for the way the word mates tangles in his mouth. "i mean - i'm sure he'd like to know what you think."

out loud his voice is normal, but his ears detect his own jealousy and his noise crinkles slightly. get it together, delight. "um, i mean, we were talking about something similar recently. relocating, possibly, though i think either way we should wait for winter to pass." part of him has assumed mato must have voiced his questions to brienne at some point - but maybe not, if she's been too worried to bring it up with him. from what he's seen, the silvery prince doesn't seem like the type to pick up on subtle distress -- too deep in his own lovely mind, surely. he is either way glad to know that he is not filled with too many irrational worries, if mato and bri are both worried as well.

ah, this isn't exactly what he meant to talk about, but - he feels himself hesitating again. (if the cenma is herself worried, shouldn't he talk to her about her troubles before demanding a life story..?) (does he want to hear it - or at least, the questions he needs to ask - now?)

delight sighs, silvered gaze drifting towards the lines of the trees. "it was beautiful," he says vaguely, thinking of tindömé's founding - not even three months prior, barely has the season turned over. "sorry i haven't been around," he adds, wondering if his own avoidance has added to her worries, "i'm - i'm here, you know."