( this time, he does not repeat wriothesley's words, too stunned by the admission to properly gather his thoughts. a few weeks would have been too paltry a time, several months closer to what he might have anticipated, but an entire year? surely he would have noticed that absence sooner? (surely an entire year is too cruel of a period of time to be kept away from everything a person loves and cherishes—?)

finally freed of one cage only to be transported to another.

a different sort of sorrow etches itself into his heart, but there is no time now for lamentation. there are matters to be ironed out yet. at least it is clorinde and wriothesley who are here instead of others, two whom he would trust to maintain a level head in even the most unpredictable of situations. )

I see. Thank you.

( for telling him.

there's a question lingering in the air for him, waiting for a response, but he can't help but focus on the man in the room with him. his own needs, as always, are secondary. his eyes sweep over the other man's form, vainly trying to note any signs of pain, anything out of the ordinary. sigewinne would know of anything amiss far better than him—but sigewinne is not here. in lieu of her, it falls to him to ensure that those under his watch are properly cared for. )

I assure you, whatever antics I have had the ( mis- )fortune of presiding over in court I prefer to keep separate from my personal life.

( so, no, he isn't having the best of times here thus far. the displeasured edge to his voice smooths out, hesitation taking its place. )

Have you been well here, Wriothesley?

( wriothesley is strong, adaptable, more resilient than so many of the humans he has seen come and go, but he is still just a man at the end of the day. )