"All right. That's a good place to start anyway, it makes everything else easier."

He nods, even if that only makes the vaguest amount of sense to him. (He is, as far as he is able, and beyond his own comprehension, excited by the idea of reading.)

It's kind of cute.

"You ready to go back in?"

He shrugs, almost automatically, and then realises that's probably not the answer Pradnakt was looking for. He stares down at the flames on his hands for a moment. "...Yes?" he realises he doesn't sound so sure, and repeats it trying to sound a little more certain. (He's not entirely sure he is, but he doesn't think he's going to be any more ready the longer he waits.)

"Or we can eat out here, if you'd rather."

"I- what- whatever's easiest?" he says. (He isn't sure he has an actual preference.)

"You don't seem like you're ready to go back in."

"I- it's- fine if. Anything's fine? What-whatever you want?" (He flinches a little at his word choice, he can't help but remind himself that his opinions don't matter, even if they keep asking him for them.)

"I want you to have what you need, Nova. If I didn't care about whether you were ready to go back or not, I wouldn't've asked."

He's completely still for a second, not even breathing, before he twists his fingers together, stares at his hands. "I- would. prefer to stay out here. Please?" He closes his eyes and waits.

"Of course. I'll go get the food, I'll be back soon." And off she goes.

His eyes flash open and he stares after her. It takes him a moment to remember to breathe.

He...really has no idea how to deal with any of this. But-

If he's here, and alone... He flexes his hands again, and tries to direct his fire with more purpose.

He has some time to himself, despite her promise to return quickly.

So he breathes, and coaxes the flames into arching between his hands, to jumping between his fingers. He still can't entirely make them vanish but... He's never really tried to make them do anything before, except go away. They seem much more receptive to being used.

He does, in fact, lose track of time.

And eventually she does come back, carrying one tray and floating another in front of herself while Daisy follows with a jug of water; he has plenty of time to see them coming, if he's paying attention.

It takes him a moment, but he does notice and he flinches slightly, clenching his fists and trying to remind himself that they said this was alright. The flames die down a little, and he watches their approach out of the corner of his eyes.

It takes another few minutes for them to arrive; when they do, Pradnakt wordlessly settles the floating tray next to him and climbs back up to the ledge. Meanwhile Daisy pours him a glass of water, and as she offers it, she asks, "would you like company while you eat?"

He takes the glass with a quiet 'thank you', directing that to include Pradnakt as well. He shrugs in response to the question. "I- if you- you want?" he says quietly. "I- wouldn't mind." (He's a little startled to realise that's a genuine truth.)

She nods and settles herself on the ledge.

"I'm glad you and Pradnakt are getting along," she says, when he's had a chance to get started on his meal.

He's tugged the tray into his lap, and is eating one handed, the other hand still somewhat on fire. He blinks a little. Was that what they were doing? He shrugs a little, "I- s'good?" he agrees unsurely.

"Mmhmm," she nods.

"Do you have any questions about her? Or me, I guess."

He's silent, he hasn't even thought about this, wouldn't even know where to start even if he really thought he could ask. Except...except.

"I- you're...not-" He gestures a little vaguely near his head with his on fire hand, trying to indicate wiping.

"Not wiped? No, I'm not - Pradnakt would never. I'm almost as old as you are."

He seems to relax some at that. "Good."

He finishes eating in silence - although he doesn't finish the entire plate.

The sky in front of him begins to darken while he eats, as the sun sets behind the pillar at his back.

"Will that keep you warm enough?" Daisy asks, nodding to where he's still aflame. "It's going to start getting chilly soon."