Hushed Willows what even is a good thread title

Lily affirmed that she was who herself, and Ephraim's throat bobbed with an apprehensive swallow. Now that he was here, he had no idea what to say. It seemed prudent to start at the beginning, but also inappropriate to unload so much baggage on her without knowing her. And were you supposed to bring a gift to these kinds of things? What was the protocol?

A name. Giving her his name was a good start. I'm Ephraim, he said, faltering over his tongue to stop himself from adding kom Drakru to that. His belly fluttered once more. What if she knew his name? What if she knew he was from Drageda, what if she told them he was here? Or what if she told Rusalka he was here?

It was all so ridiculous, and he knew it was, but it took him a long time to reason it out to himself. When he did, surely looking extremely socially awkward in the process, he hesitantly shared, I was told you're a good person to talk to? About... uh, personal things?