The smile was a gift, and he accepted it as one, graciously and grateful as he found a smile in return, offering her his support and his quiet acceptance of her flaws as well as her strengths, as Amalia had done for him the night before. Mighty warriors were important as defenders, protectors, guards, and heroes. He was a fighter mostly be association, though he had learned to defend himself. Still, as he had told Deimos he belonged in a support role, bolstering those who fought far more effectively than he ever would.
The turn of subject was deliberate, not made on a whim alone, but her reaction made it well worthwhile, and he tilted his head thoughtfully at hearing that nothing came to her mind. She had fought long and hard, sacrificed much, it sounded like, but what had that life left her? Scars inside and out, and little else to warm her heart at the end of the day. He nodded slowly, pieces falling into place, and his smile when she said she wanted to try was far more like his old self. "I am barely adequate at drawing," he admitted, with a faint touch of humor. "So I might not make a good teacher for that. But music - singing, instruments, and the like - and dancing? Those I can share, and gladly. A moment, please..." He rose, Isuma watching him with golden eyes that seemed more alert for her cuddling with Auni and his own stronger heart.
He might not be able to help himself, but he could find strength in being able to help others, and he delved into his office for a few minutes, returning shortly with a simple wooden flute he had carved while Rory had mended leather one evening. The piece was plain, but polished to a high shine and he showed it to Kiada with a smile. "A gift, for a new friend," he said gently. "Hold it like this--" He demonstrated for her. "--with your fingers covering the holes. Blow into it gently and lift your fingers in turn and combinations to see what notes you can make with it. Don't worry if they sound strange or squawk," he reassured, with the shadow of a chuckle. "Just have fun seeing what noises come out for now. I'll get one so we can play together for a bit." He handed her the flute and retreated to his office once more, taking his time as he retrieved one of his own instruments. He could at least give her the illusion of privacy while she made her first mistakes.
It wasn't what he had come here today to do but... perhaps this was even more important, in the long run.
The turn of subject was deliberate, not made on a whim alone, but her reaction made it well worthwhile, and he tilted his head thoughtfully at hearing that nothing came to her mind. She had fought long and hard, sacrificed much, it sounded like, but what had that life left her? Scars inside and out, and little else to warm her heart at the end of the day. He nodded slowly, pieces falling into place, and his smile when she said she wanted to try was far more like his old self. "I am barely adequate at drawing," he admitted, with a faint touch of humor. "So I might not make a good teacher for that. But music - singing, instruments, and the like - and dancing? Those I can share, and gladly. A moment, please..." He rose, Isuma watching him with golden eyes that seemed more alert for her cuddling with Auni and his own stronger heart.
He might not be able to help himself, but he could find strength in being able to help others, and he delved into his office for a few minutes, returning shortly with a simple wooden flute he had carved while Rory had mended leather one evening. The piece was plain, but polished to a high shine and he showed it to Kiada with a smile. "A gift, for a new friend," he said gently. "Hold it like this--" He demonstrated for her. "--with your fingers covering the holes. Blow into it gently and lift your fingers in turn and combinations to see what notes you can make with it. Don't worry if they sound strange or squawk," he reassured, with the shadow of a chuckle. "Just have fun seeing what noises come out for now. I'll get one so we can play together for a bit." He handed her the flute and retreated to his office once more, taking his time as he retrieved one of his own instruments. He could at least give her the illusion of privacy while she made her first mistakes.
It wasn't what he had come here today to do but... perhaps this was even more important, in the long run.
