I might have gotten jealous if you had met another scale besides me. [ teasing, mostly.

(...) ]

Is it lazy if I steal your line? [ that's never stopped him before, but he pauses just slightly before continuing. ] You are the same for me, Oriphi, and I don't just mean your looks. That is why—

[ he's made an effort, despite himself. he knows what these feelings are even if usually he's looking in a mirror at them. but even though he is not a god, he is born of one, prone to whimsy and wants even if he does know better. the freedom the land brings is intoxicating, but that's not all of it. neither is the few years of isolation he's had before now. ]

I have done things for the first time in centuries with you.