He could not change the decisions she had made, so instead he only tightened his embrace and held her closer. The Hanged Man would survive, but there was no doubt that it would not be the same without the Doubletake at its helm.
He could not take that pain from her, but he could bring a little of the joy back by giving his sincere approval of her building plans. Her smile made it all worthwhile, but before he could offer further architectural advice it was Flora's turn to distract him, pulling his mind back to business - and drawing that slow smile back to his eyes with her threat. "Mmh. A difficult proposition when I am near," he reminded her with a quiet laugh. "But I will not risk you finding a way. No soldiers." An easy promise to make with peace settling back over Torchline like a warm, familiar blanket.
Her alternative suggestion had him tilting his head to the side as if in serious consideration of the improvement to the city's waterways. "It would help to sanitize them," he mused, giving her a sly smile. "But think of the extra collisions on the docks." He paused, then gave a slow nod. "But we should improve the region. The weather now is good for such work. i recommend repairs on our public buildings... and the construction of new housing. We may see more Ancients from the Hollow Grounds coming to stay here in Deepfrost." And if some of those new building funds ended up going to Flora's new mansion? Hadama might not admit to seeing - or approving - the expenditures, though they would certainly make it past his desk somehow.
He could not take that pain from her, but he could bring a little of the joy back by giving his sincere approval of her building plans. Her smile made it all worthwhile, but before he could offer further architectural advice it was Flora's turn to distract him, pulling his mind back to business - and drawing that slow smile back to his eyes with her threat. "Mmh. A difficult proposition when I am near," he reminded her with a quiet laugh. "But I will not risk you finding a way. No soldiers." An easy promise to make with peace settling back over Torchline like a warm, familiar blanket.
Her alternative suggestion had him tilting his head to the side as if in serious consideration of the improvement to the city's waterways. "It would help to sanitize them," he mused, giving her a sly smile. "But think of the extra collisions on the docks." He paused, then gave a slow nod. "But we should improve the region. The weather now is good for such work. i recommend repairs on our public buildings... and the construction of new housing. We may see more Ancients from the Hollow Grounds coming to stay here in Deepfrost." And if some of those new building funds ended up going to Flora's new mansion? Hadama might not admit to seeing - or approving - the expenditures, though they would certainly make it past his desk somehow.
