Northstar Vale are you scared to death to live?

his own feelings echo alarian's: the governor hasn't met mato, doesn't know what a sorry mooning state delight is around him, doesn't know all the ways he's failed with tindome. it puts him artificially at ease in a way he hasn't been able to be in some time. the closest that comes is queenie -- and as close as they are, it's still different. she know his weaknesses. she's seen his failures. etc. etc.

plus, y'know, alarian isn't too bad to look at, truth be told. delight makes a tiny noise of amusement as the pair sets off, rolling his eyes. "yeah, i do have a pretty tough guard," he jokes back (thinking of queenie, who would bite), oblivious to the quick flurry of movement just behind him until his friend calls for his attention. 

the androgyne turns, his eyes going immediately to the delicate creature perched on his nose, and bursts out laughing. "d-don't move, you'll scare it," he wheezes, trying to keep his own energy contained lest the fragile thing be frightened off by his shaking (and of course not realising he hasn't actually answered alarian's question to begin with).