His keen eyes watched the Taviorian ruler with interest and polite curiosity. Her movements were kind, welcoming, and non-threatening. She seemed genuinely open to hearing him out, her expressions unguarded and even friendly. He slowly began to relax in her presence, nerves easing but caution still protecting him. Zelda’s genuine expression of feeling warmed his heart, a sheepish smile crossing his lips and even he turned away. His heart pounded for Pandora, the deep feeling of connection to her let him feel her and know her in a way they did not need true words or tones. Witnessing the unspoken feelings on creatures such as Zelda, Taika, and Masque was still a breath of light in him and a heat he felt he could hold with him to melt the ice the tundras and mountains had once encased him in.

Dark and silver head tilted just so as he quietly thought about her question. For so long he had not known what he had truly wanted, his desires and his dreams. The expectations of others had been thrust upon him at a time when all he had wanted to do was see the world around him. Being torn from the joys of life to become something he had been molded to become, and then to adopt that as who he was. Slowly the armor had broken down and he had removed it when he had been alone. Stretching in his solitude to allow his thoughts and his mind to think about the simple joys he had to pass by. The protective shell Pandora and his sons, his true friends had found a way to slip through. The reforged weaponry he bore when one trusted stabbed through his defenses. Combining everything he was, truly, and everything the world had created him to be, he could not release one or the other. Tithe knew the two truths weighed equally on his scales, all that remained is what he would add to, or what others would add themselves.

I wish to protect my family. I want to see my sons grow to beings they can be proud of being. I would like to be part of something greater than myself, so my life is not wasted on the world around me. Words that Daenerys had spoken lashed out at him. I want to show that I am the man I wish to be. He finished resolutely, though his tone had not changed from what it had been. Still the smooth and solid tones of the knight who had spoken with rulers. His subtle expressions, the hardening glint of determination in his eyes and the hair twist of his ears declared his certainty soundlessly, but with the volume of trumpets.