He listened quietly as he continued to work, soldering the rest of the settings to the tiara and then buffing the metal smooth once more with sandpaper so that the whole appeared seamless once more. "...I am glad that he is smiling again," the King rumbled at last, a quiet sincerity in his voice that hid layers of pain and a still-tender scar.
He looked over occasionally while Maea worked to check on her progress and answer any questions on technique. Steely brows rose in appreciation when she used her own fire to heat the ring, rumbling a quiet: "useful," with an admiring nod. If he was surprised that she suddenly began to slice the ring apart he said nothing, content to wait and see her plan before he commented.
Given that the scars on his own body had been mended with gold he did not seem particularly concerned when she pursued a similar aesthetic. There was catharsis in accepting imperfection and moving forward in spite of it. "Mmmh. No," he admitted slowly as he began to fit sea glass and gemstones into the settings with a delicate pair of pliers. "Not anymore. Once, he was my best friend." His co-ruler and confidante, and someone that the Tidebreaker had trusted with his life - and, more importantly, his people. "Since he... left... we have only exchanged a few letters." A tactful way to refer to the Stalwart's sudden abdication.
He looked over occasionally while Maea worked to check on her progress and answer any questions on technique. Steely brows rose in appreciation when she used her own fire to heat the ring, rumbling a quiet: "useful," with an admiring nod. If he was surprised that she suddenly began to slice the ring apart he said nothing, content to wait and see her plan before he commented.
Given that the scars on his own body had been mended with gold he did not seem particularly concerned when she pursued a similar aesthetic. There was catharsis in accepting imperfection and moving forward in spite of it. "Mmmh. No," he admitted slowly as he began to fit sea glass and gemstones into the settings with a delicate pair of pliers. "Not anymore. Once, he was my best friend." His co-ruler and confidante, and someone that the Tidebreaker had trusted with his life - and, more importantly, his people. "Since he... left... we have only exchanged a few letters." A tactful way to refer to the Stalwart's sudden abdication.
