It soothed his heart to see the smile on his young friend's face when she saw him, and though her spontaneous hug gave him a moment's surprised pause it was only for a moment. He bent to wrap his arms around her, strong and gentle as he gathered her close and releasing her the moment he felt her pull away. "Sohalia," he greeted, emerald eyes bright. "Tea would be welcome."
He followed her, his pace slow and unhurried but his strides long enough to make up for it. The stairs caused him to hesitate, giving the long spiral a contemplative look like a general preparing himself for battle before he raised his foot to the first tread and began his ascent behind his guide. "You have been missed," he rumbled gently as they made their way up and up and up some more. "How are you?" Though the smudges under her eyes were enough to worry the Tidebreaker into setting aside his own troubles for the moment.
He followed her, his pace slow and unhurried but his strides long enough to make up for it. The stairs caused him to hesitate, giving the long spiral a contemplative look like a general preparing himself for battle before he raised his foot to the first tread and began his ascent behind his guide. "You have been missed," he rumbled gently as they made their way up and up and up some more. "How are you?" Though the smudges under her eyes were enough to worry the Tidebreaker into setting aside his own troubles for the moment.
