Herbalists' Cache we are a hurricane; drop our anchors in a storm

ordinarily, he would have rambled on and on, spilling his heart and all its blood to alarian, pouring every thought from his mind (as if his friend wanted it, anyway). but this time, no words came. the shell he'd crafted around himself was growing harder, and aditya responded to alarian's apologies with merely a nod of acceptance, remaining silent otherwise. it was when the governor turned to leave that he opened his mouth at last, shaking his head.

"no, stay," he said, voice cracking a little. he cleared his throat, letting out a quick exhale. "let's talk about the alliance. or you could speak to. . .dawn, if that would be better. or pema, though she's just had the babies." business was business, and aditya wouldn't let his personal life interfere in more pressing matters. not now, after all that had happened. they must put up the appearance of a united front, even if it wasn't necessarily so at the time.