[His ears, previously swiveled backwards in his embarrassment, perk upward again, alert.]
Ah. [His tunnel vision briefly struck again. He's thankful for the reminder, he thinks, and he removes his hand from his face with some reluctance.] Y-yes.
[He can't bring himself to ask if Naruhodo is truly alright, too concerned about stumbling right back into—that, and whatever mess may lie beyond it. He'll have to be content with watching the other man with an occasional glance as they follow after Iris.]
Let us hurry.
[But even as he tries to push his considerations about Ryunosuke's responses out of his mind, there's a thrumming like an oncoming earthquake under his feet, even if extremely localized. It will gradually fade as he distracts himself with the prospect of finding and... discussing things with their young prodigy friend. ... his niece. Even thinking the word sends him down an entirely different emotional spiral, and in this case that might be a good thing.
Right now, they don't have to talk about just how long Barok van Zieks has harbored an admiration for his learned friend that's bordered on... red-pink flower petals. Or this week. At the very least, he's going to need a chalice or two before that happens.
This spell and the forest's tricks, at least, will give him enough time for that much.]
no subject
Ah. [His tunnel vision briefly struck again. He's thankful for the reminder, he thinks, and he removes his hand from his face with some reluctance.] Y-yes.
[He can't bring himself to ask if Naruhodo is truly alright, too concerned about stumbling right back into—that, and whatever mess may lie beyond it. He'll have to be content with watching the other man with an occasional glance as they follow after Iris.]
Let us hurry.
[But even as he tries to push his considerations about Ryunosuke's responses out of his mind, there's a thrumming like an oncoming earthquake under his feet, even if extremely localized. It will gradually fade as he distracts himself with the prospect of finding and... discussing things with their young prodigy friend. ... his niece. Even thinking the word sends him down an entirely different emotional spiral, and in this case that might be a good thing.
Right now, they don't have to talk about just how long Barok van Zieks has harbored an admiration for his learned friend that's bordered on... red-pink flower petals. Or this week. At the very least, he's going to need a chalice or two before that happens.
This spell and the forest's tricks, at least, will give him enough time for that much.]