@elegiasts from [X]
Mismatched eyes look at the book in front of him rather than Brynden himself, when she first approaches, going around the desk and settling by his side. Taking in his demeanor comes second to her curiosity as to what he occupies his mind with. When Shiera does glance at him, her findings are unsurprising; he is cross with her, she supposes, though hopefully not for long. It is a matter of time, regardless. He could never stay mad at her for too long. "What reason would there be to pity you, Brynden?" She turns her full attention to him then, a finger toying with the tips of his silver hair. Her tone may be light, but the glint in her blue-green eyes denounces her amusement at his expense. "Have you missed me so much that my absence was taken as a slight?" "Surely I did not offend you by spending some time in a pyromancer's company the last few days?" Feigned naiveté, as they both well know. "He was so sweet, I did not have it in my heart to tell him no." For a time, before the man had lost her interest, as they all seemed to inevitably do. “If you will be sour about it, I can leave you to your sulking.”
"Mhm. I am sure he was sweet indeed."
The words on the page in front of him slip out of focus. Disinterest had never been difficult to feign, until it came to her. The walls around his mind and heart suddenly seem made of straw. Brynden attempts to turn the page, as though her words were nothing.
"I am not sour. I am concentrating."
But he can never muster this act for long. Alas, he is wrapped around her delicate fingers, and he has no intention of extracting himself. He knows she is laughing at him; but her alone he will grant that honour.
"A minute without your presence is an eternity of agony." At last he closes his book, and looks up at her with a faint smile. "As the singers would say. Truth be told, it is dull here when you are... busy." The word tastes bitter. "The court is lacking for good company."
