The courier was notoriously chary with unburdening his heart. It took copious amounts of alcohol, a truly traumatic near-death experience, or a full-on public breakdown, on the few occasions it had happened in the past. He and Alys had a great deal in common, if only they'd found the words to tell each other more about their pasts...
But there was time. Tal traveled a great deal, but he always tried to be there when his friends needed him, even if his heart was bruised and battered and - never much of a catch to begin with - was now decidedly in the 'damaged goods' bargain bin.
He'd rolled the dice with his offer, but seeing Alys light up made the risk worth it and he relaxed a little, fingers stilling and drifting back to his silverware. Boreal waited a few more breaths before realizing the snacks had dried up, but her rumble from beneath the table was content as her human found a smile for the woman across from him.
"It's... yeah. You're welcome. Anyplace I've got. Y'should... probably know that. I mean, I should tell you that, so y'can know... it." Was he babbling? He was babbling. Definitely babbling, and his ears warmed further as his eyes dropped to his plate and he realized he couldn't rub the back of his neck without stabbing himself with a fork. Which might at least end the embarrassment of his verbal blunder, and he scrambled to get back on topic.
"Well, th'Grounds are kinda... eh," he started off, grasping for the cities worth mentioning off the top of his head. "Sidhe Village is nice, but it's quiet. Not much excitin' goin' on there. Stormbreak's got lots goin' for it. An' it's cooler'n Torchline. Haulan is, uh..." He grimaced, ducking his head further, but this time it had nothing to do with Alys. "I kinda. Made a fool o' myself there, last Longheat. Been makin' my deliveries quick an' leavin' quicker ever since." And this time he crammed a large bite of sandwich in his mouth to stop himself from saying any more.
But there was time. Tal traveled a great deal, but he always tried to be there when his friends needed him, even if his heart was bruised and battered and - never much of a catch to begin with - was now decidedly in the 'damaged goods' bargain bin.
He'd rolled the dice with his offer, but seeing Alys light up made the risk worth it and he relaxed a little, fingers stilling and drifting back to his silverware. Boreal waited a few more breaths before realizing the snacks had dried up, but her rumble from beneath the table was content as her human found a smile for the woman across from him.
"It's... yeah. You're welcome. Anyplace I've got. Y'should... probably know that. I mean, I should tell you that, so y'can know... it." Was he babbling? He was babbling. Definitely babbling, and his ears warmed further as his eyes dropped to his plate and he realized he couldn't rub the back of his neck without stabbing himself with a fork. Which might at least end the embarrassment of his verbal blunder, and he scrambled to get back on topic.
"Well, th'Grounds are kinda... eh," he started off, grasping for the cities worth mentioning off the top of his head. "Sidhe Village is nice, but it's quiet. Not much excitin' goin' on there. Stormbreak's got lots goin' for it. An' it's cooler'n Torchline. Haulan is, uh..." He grimaced, ducking his head further, but this time it had nothing to do with Alys. "I kinda. Made a fool o' myself there, last Longheat. Been makin' my deliveries quick an' leavin' quicker ever since." And this time he crammed a large bite of sandwich in his mouth to stop himself from saying any more.
