The Bracken Woods it's better to burn than to fade away

that alarian does not run away in a panic (or try to), delight will take as a good sign. baby steps. it's not as if he has any idea what to say either now that the dust has settled -- but alarian clearly wants him to take the lead, and words are supposed to be his skill. 

"so," the chancellor says, clearing his throat. "since we -- that night, have you been with.. anyone else? because i thought maybe we were going to... try having an us, but, since we've both obviously been avoiding each other, maybe that was the wrong assumption?" his expression turns slightly anxious as the question ends. what if he has misread the whole situation terribly? he doesn't think that's the case (you deserve better) and yet and yet his brain won't let the notion drop.