"I- uh, yes? I mean, no, sir- I mean- If you- if you want?"

"I just wanted to make you company if you wanted to. You are my responsibility, but my brothers ended up picking up all the slack and I don't want you to feel like I don't want help you."

"-oh, I- I'm very grateful, sir, but- please, don't put yourself to any trouble on my account?"

"It's no trouble. Unless, that's code for 'I am too afraid to tell you to go away' in which case it's exactly too much trouble."

-Parafi actually thinks about it before responding. "I- don't think it is?" he says after a moment.

Feliaris smile brightens, which is remarkable given how it was fairly full of sunshine already. "Alright then. Interrupt me if you need anything, include a conversation."

He pulls a notebook and starts noting things that might be spell designs.

Parafi can't help but smile back, even if he still seems unpractised at it. He eats, but seems slightly distracted watching Feliaris' work.

Feliaris is focused but occasionally lifts his eyes up to smile at Parafi.

Apparently he is doing some sorcery homework on balancing out a ritual to manage lifeforce waste.

It takes Parafi a moment to realise what it is, and a moment longer to convince himself that saying something isn't going to be bad. So he explains his own way of doing that - a fairly simple way he'd figure out, out of sheer self preservation.

"Oooh, I see. I was trying to be clever, but your solution works so much better. Thank you!" He beams.

Nova smiles shyly, ducking his head and blushing slightly. "You're welcome?" he says, like he's not quite sure those are the right words.

Giggle. "Yes, I am."

-sound that might be an answering giggle. If somewhat confused.

Well, that feels like a win in Feliaris' book.

(More importantly, he hopes it's a win in Parafi's book.)

Well, he seems a little more relaxed as he finishes his meal, so that's something.

Feliaris shows where to dispose of his plate and silverware.

He has a guess, and he knows it's a wild guess, but does Parafi wants to go back to the library?

Good guess!

-Unless there's anything else he should be doing, that is?

Not at this moment, no. Feliaris will sit near him again.

Parafi goes back to the books, seem content and excited at everything he has to learn.

Feliaris will occasionally ask about what he is reading.

He seems startled by that, but answers carefully, obviously not used to being asked questions where his answer matters.

Does this behavior persist if Feliaris keeps doing it, but while trying to be gentler about his phrasings?

He relaxes some as he gets used to being asked question, his answers are still somewhat hesitant, but less so.

That's good. Will he react negatively if Teronmas and Fenrad show up?

They take seats side by side Feliaris and say hi to Parafi.