Larksong Grotto I don't want to be king, I just want to sing a love song

As if summoned by his thoughts she appears, startling him enough to take a step backwards, his usually blank expression drawn upwards, mouth a small o. He finds his voice as she smirks, a pleased "Mirabelle" rumbling through him. Where had she come from? He hadn't smelled her until she was nearly on top of him --- his eyes try to trail the movement she'd arrived on, upwards briefly, but ultimately he ends up looking back at her with a face best characterized as: ????

Aloud he says, "I was not expecting you," both a reference to her manner of appearance and his uncertainty if she'd remained closeby at all. A smile curves his mouth as he speaks, warmth overtaking him now that he's done being surprised (for now). Perhaps this time there will be something between them -- fragile and new and complicated, but.. he does not mind having hope.