The subtle expression of concern turned more pronounced as Flora came closer and he could see more details. The outward scars were concealed, but her exhaustion was clear and the mental strain of her encounter - of her murder - was not so easily hidden.
Her apology was met with a shake of the mermanta's wet head even as she looked away from him. Towards the cause of her turmoil. Towards Starfall, and the Family that tended it.
His voice was quiet, a gentle rumble of assurance at her inability to put into words her reluctance to see him. "You do not need to." He read her body language and came to the conclusion that a hug would not be welcome yet, and he quietly slid himself back into the canal beside the stargate. "When you are ready, I will welcome time spent with you. Not as rulers, but as friends." He took a slow, deep breath and then bowed his head deeply to her from the water. "Today, this is enough." That she held her duties as Queen even above her own mental health and still-recovering state was not lost on him, and it only made him respect her more as his co-ruler.
Her apology was met with a shake of the mermanta's wet head even as she looked away from him. Towards the cause of her turmoil. Towards Starfall, and the Family that tended it.
His voice was quiet, a gentle rumble of assurance at her inability to put into words her reluctance to see him. "You do not need to." He read her body language and came to the conclusion that a hug would not be welcome yet, and he quietly slid himself back into the canal beside the stargate. "When you are ready, I will welcome time spent with you. Not as rulers, but as friends." He took a slow, deep breath and then bowed his head deeply to her from the water. "Today, this is enough." That she held her duties as Queen even above her own mental health and still-recovering state was not lost on him, and it only made him respect her more as his co-ruler.
