Arms deep in a wishing well

Remi turned, surprised to see the small creature sitting on Jigano's shoulder. Instantly a boyish smile spread across his face as his eyes focused solely on Isuma. Both the feline and the avian in him called out in equal measure, both recognizing something in the small creature though he'd never see anything like her before. "Ah..." Remi mumbled, his mind having noticed Jigano had asked him a question, but far too taken with the gryphlet to immediately form an answer. His smile turned to a wide grin as Jigano blatantly commented on his appearance, and Remi laughed easily in response. Running a hand through his hair and puffing out his cheeks as he exhaled, Remi nodded in agreement. "Well, heroes are often seen smiling, or looking handsome while brooding and since I have not yet perfected the latter..." The alchemist tried to keep his voice wry, but too quickly the absurdity of it—especially in light of just how nearly-vehement they'd both been while discussing precisely this subject matter before—cracked his lips apart and mischievous amusement broke whatever aim towards dry-wit he'd been aiming for. But his laughter and smile, however weary, were genuine. "On that note though ... I have been doing a decent amount of thinking since we spoke last. And I owe you an apology. Not only for the things I said and how I reacted, but also because you are far more right about me than I wanted to admit at the time. Even now, if I am being honest." Which, before Jigano, Remi thought he normally was. It turned out he lied all the time, it was just mostly to himself. REMI How do you steal what you really want When what you really want is free?