A steely brow rose slowly at the shift in tone but Hadama said nothing as he waited for her to continue. He was patient and had no need to respond when Flora was not yet done speaking, and the smile faded from his expression until not even the memory of it remained. Solemnity was a more common expression on him anyways, and he returned to it without conscious thought.
Though the mention of Sohalia - ah. That was unwelcome news, and he inclined his head slowly in acknowledgment that the letter had been received. There was no point in denying it. Though her recounting of what had happened in Stormbreak...
He considered her thoughtfully before letting out a soft exhalation that might have been a sigh. "Flora. I am honored that you asked it of me. But did you truly think that I would chose a single person over the good of Torchline? Of all of Caido?" He allowed his expression to slip, some of the true weariness he felt showing through, if briefly, as he closed his eyes, seeking strength from within after the quiet outburst, subdued though it had been. His voice grew lower, softer, so that she might have trouble hearing it from the distance she kept between them. "You should not have put me in that position."
When he looked at her again it was with quiet resolution once more, though perhaps there was resignation in his emerald eyes as well. "May we discuss the weapon for our next quest from Safrin?" If the spa day was no longer viable, then he would at least wring what business he could from the meeting.
Though the mention of Sohalia - ah. That was unwelcome news, and he inclined his head slowly in acknowledgment that the letter had been received. There was no point in denying it. Though her recounting of what had happened in Stormbreak...
He considered her thoughtfully before letting out a soft exhalation that might have been a sigh. "Flora. I am honored that you asked it of me. But did you truly think that I would chose a single person over the good of Torchline? Of all of Caido?" He allowed his expression to slip, some of the true weariness he felt showing through, if briefly, as he closed his eyes, seeking strength from within after the quiet outburst, subdued though it had been. His voice grew lower, softer, so that she might have trouble hearing it from the distance she kept between them. "You should not have put me in that position."
When he looked at her again it was with quiet resolution once more, though perhaps there was resignation in his emerald eyes as well. "May we discuss the weapon for our next quest from Safrin?" If the spa day was no longer viable, then he would at least wring what business he could from the meeting.
