[A slightly bossy Ferran is way more easy to deal with than a depressed one, so Hans will take the subtle change in behavior. Oh, he knows that the young man is probably still upset, but it's easier to tease when he's not constantly outwardly displaying that behavior. And it's not like he has much dignity left either, not after spending so many months at the stables and cleaning them.

This is easy in comparison.

He kneels slightly and reaches over to Ferran's cheek with the cloth, but he stops just a couple of inches away to look at him with a smile.]

While we're doing this, could you tell me more about this place? [Might as well pretend he knows nothing about Songerein.] I haven't had much chance to get my bearings in this world before I found myself wanting to help with the reconstruction efforts.