I might regret this, but ... ♥
He seems to still in place for a moment, though it is apparent - even just by his stare alone - that he has heard the question offered.
“I would like to confirm that you are asking me about the romantic potential between myself and Palequiver,” he begins after a long moment, his voice reaching out slowly (almost painfully) in question. Another brief moment passes and soon he, with the slightest bit of exasperation escaping in the form of a curt exhale, gives a brief nod. “Very well. I’ll entertain this line of questioning… for the moment.”
“The most relevant answer is that Palequiver, as one who stands directly beneath my command, is not one I’d ever think to consider in such regards. The answer you are probably more interested in is whether I’d still maintain such a lack of interest if he were with another division, perhaps.” His shoulders dip upwards in a gentle shrug. “I am sorry to tell you that the answer remains the same, though the reasons are different. Palequiver is a fine youth, but that is what he is to me; young, youthful. Inexperienced.”
Another release of breath and he gives a brief gesture of his hand, somewhat dismissive.
“He is very young by our standards, you see. While that youthful hope and naivety will do him well in plenty of circumstances, romantic dalliances with me require something… different. Darker, bolder. Something that shows one has accepted some of the burdens of time and has come to embrace it, sometimes in all of its ugliness.”
He smiles then, displaying a line of sharp teeth.
“He is a good boy. I’m afraid that I would not be able to provide him with the sort of romantic comfort he presumably prefers. Not at all.”
