"you're quiet today." (Veltempest)
It's still a dismissive answer, but it's not nearly as fake as he might have given to someone who wasn't Vel. There isn't, at least, the sudden appearance of a bright smile or the rapid shift in demeanor from contemplative to exuberant. Instead, the denial is ordinary.
He can't really tell Vel what he's thinking about, after all.
"... I've just been enjoying the sea breeze," Tempest provides, a lie only in the sense that he knows Vel is looking for more than what he's willing to give. Perhaps out of guilt, he doesn't turn to look at Vel just yet, eyes on the direction of Aiva, though it's no longer visible behind them. "I'm rather fond of the ocean myself, you know. What sense is there in wasting away the last few days we'll have free from fey madness below deck?"
He dares to sneak a glance at the pointed look Vel is undoubtedly giving him. It makes something in him soften a little---he pushes away from the railing of the ship to turn around, back to the water so he can properly face his...
It's not really true, but the thought puts a soft smile on Tempest's face anyway. There's no harm in imagining, he supposes. No lines are crossed in thought.
"You shouldn't be so concerned about what's on my mind," he says, and finds that he actually means the lightheartedness he's attempting to convey. It always does seem like a much more difficult choice to face when he's left to his own. "I wouldn't say no to your company, though. I'll promise you it's nothing you need to worry about if you promise to let me use you as a distraction from it. You know how much I enjoy our little talks."
the thunder saga. / accepting. ( @spiterisen )