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[advisors]

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[terraria]

[ There's a sharp, colder tinge to his voice, even if his gaze is calm. ] Really? You'd like to hear of the way a nobleman almost cracked my skull on my first day as lead courtesan?

[ Softer; ] I don't think you would, Ja'far.

[advisors]

( Ja'far is shocked, but hardens his gaze. ) Have I told you how my old master tore my arm off with one clean cut, because he was in the possession of a strong household vessel? How I only survived because I partially assimilated with mine?

My world is full of horrors, too. ( His face softens. ) But, I do not want to pressure you - far from it. I want you to tell me of your world if you are comfortable with it. I'm sorry if I overstepped.

[terraria]

[ Aspen holds Ja'far's gaze, clenching his jaw - trying not to be rattled by what he says. It's... confusing - this world, these people, worlds apart, but still somehow tolerating him. Something like that would usually get people to leave him alone... Siegfried stayed, and so did Ja'far. What's wrong with these people...?

He doesn't understand. ]

I...

[ Why doesn't he understand? He can, usually. What's missing? He lets out another shaky breath, bowing his head into the pillow on his lap again. Why is he in a world he doesn't understand, with people he doesn't understand? ]

I'm sorry. I am... scared. Thank you.

[advisors]

( Ja'far pauses, then places his hand on Aspen's back again, hoping to be comforting. )

It's alright. I'm sorry if I pushed too much. You are our friend, and I want to know more about you, but I want you to tell me when you are comfortable. Even if that never happens, that doesn't negate that you are important to us. We'll be here for you, if you ever need or want us.

[terraria]

It's... alright. I am just unused to being... this.

You - and the others, are all important to me as well. It scares me how important you all have become to me, in such a short time... so I do want to be there for all of you as well. Please don't take my refusal to say much about my world as anything but.

[advisors]

It is alright. ( Ja'far rubs his back, then after a pause, gives Aspen a gentle kiss on the top of his head. ) Thank you.

[terraria]

[ Aspen actually lets out a softer chuckle at the kiss. ] Look at me, falling to pieces on you twice. You're welcome. ... you'd best go before it's a third time.

[advisors]

I can stay if you need me. I... finished my work for the day, anyway. ( He sounds really disappointed about that. )

[terraria]

[ ... pfffffft. ]

Was it too little work or are you too efficient?

[advisors]

I'm used to the workload for an entire country, not just Sin and what I'm given at our new jobs.

[terraria]

Overachiever.

[ It's said with no shortness of fondness, though. ]

Is there not something you'd like to learn?

[advisors]

I actually had some rather intense schooling with my adoptive mother when I was young. She taught me most of what I know.

[terraria]

[ Ah... adoptive mother? His wings lightly slack. ]

And there's nothing more you want to learn? I can't imagine that. I've thought of trying to learn a bit more of botany... so I might be stronger than I am. I've just no way to go about it.

[advisors]

To be honest, I've been so focused on Sindria I haven't really thought of learning anything else. Maybe more dishes to cook...?

( He perks up a little at what Aspen wants to study. ) Maybe this place has information you can use, then. I believe there's a large library in the Up we could visit - there should be books on botany there.

[terraria]

I know Sindria is important to you... but you can't let it completely overpower your life.

[ Pot, meet kettle. ] Ah, maybe... if I can read them all.

[advisors]

( He laughs a little, sheepish. ) Even Sin says that sometimes.

Oh, right! If you need help with reading, I can teach you. I taught Masrur, after all.

[terraria]

Then perhaps you should heed him. [ Reaching over to pinch Ja'far's cheek and tug, a little. ]

I would, of course, appreciate the help. I cannot promise to be the best student, but I certainly will try.

[advisors]

( Augh, cheek pull. He accepts it, he guesses. )

Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be easier to teach than Masrur.

[terraria]

I feel as if there's an untold story there, but I won't pry.

[ ... letting go. ]

Why don't you learn botany with me? And I could learn... cooking. [ He makes a face. ]

[advisors]

( Ja'far rubs his cheek, laughing. )

Not fond of cooking, I take it?

[terraria]

I don't like things I'm not good at.

[ ... surprisingly petulant. ]

King Belias is an amazing cook, but... every time he's tried to teach me, I fail...

[advisors]

( A laugh. Ja'far felt similarly when he was little. )

We'll start with simple things, then.

[terraria]

Alright...

[ ... if Ja'far learns botany, he's gonna find out the plants he put in Sin's suite, huh.

Well. They'll cross that bridge when they come to it. ]

[advisors]

( Ja'far rubs Aspen's back again, looking at his wings. )

Are you still having trouble with the molting?

[terraria]

Ah, no... not as much.

[ He opens the wing - Ja'far is right to question, given he most certainly has less feathers than he used to at the start of the month. Thankfully no patchiness, but... ]

The pain's mostly gone. I do hope I won't molt this summer. It takes quite a while for these feathers to grow back.