"Of course. And even non-water birds need some waterproofing. Because of the rain."

The wing comes closer. Unlike the metallic looking artifact, it's very soft.

He runs his fingers through the feathers, careful not to brush the wrong way. Soft. 

"Which form is this?" He asks, continuing to pet the wing.

"Ventari. Wind themed."

"This is my favourite so far, I think," he muses. He wants this form, more than any of the others. 

"Do the different pools give specific forms, or is it determined some other way?"

"Specific form per pool. From the top of my head I remember one other pool that does a feathered winged. But they take after humming birds."

"There is a pool for this one, though? And, what is the hummingbird winged form associated with, power-wise?" Pet, pet. He shifts around so he can see where the wings connect to Zephyrinus' back. He pets this spot, too. So soft. 

"There are plenty for this one. The hummingbird form is associated primarily with song and dance, but also light. Powers often let other people cooperate with the user somehow."

The wings connect to the back and the feathers in the area form a sort of V-shape. They are very soft.

"You're really fascinated by wings."

"I am," he agrees. He recognises that most people are not, but is of the opinion that those people are wrong. He runs his fingers through the feather down on Zephyrinus' back, gently. What does that even feel like. He would really like to know first-hand. 

"Did you get this one from a pool?" He asks, "Or were you born with it." 

"Born. It's the most common form in the continent. Flying is useful, you know. But its pools are known and available."

"Oh good."

Something occurs to him, and his hands pause as he tries to word it properly.

"...I don't know if we actually decided. What this makes us?" He asks, uncertain. 

"We have not. Do we need to decide?"

"...No, not really. I-" He shakes his head. 

"Is that alright?"

It should be. 

 He pulls away, frustrated with himself, and with the tightness in his chest and weight in his stomach.

"I am... needlessly complicating things. Nevermind." 

"I ever mind things. What's the problem?"

For a long moment, he says nothing, sinking down so his lips are covered by the water, just breathing through his nose and trying to think. 

Eventually, he rises back up again.

"I don't know what has come over me," he mutters. "I have never needed anything like this defined before." 

He pauses.

"...That's not strictly true," he realises, "Dasil made it... quite clear, that I was his. Caen..." It hurts to think about Caen.

"You are not used to... lack of definition? Or is that not the problem?"

He huffs a little laugh, "No, that - I am reliably informed that the way Dasil treated me was unacceptable. Istaim was very insistent." Though he's still not sure he agrees with them on the topic, entirely. 

"I don't need a definition, I don't think. I just need... to know you won't just leave." The last bit is spoken very quietly. 

"I won't? I won't just leave. I don't leave people that need me."

Jaim peers up at him, the corners of his mouth turning up just a little. Despite everything... It's easy to believe him

"Okay," he agrees after a moment.

"I'm sorry for being... difficult," he adds, still subdued. 

He puts a hand on Jaim's shoulder. "I am sorry for not being... able to help you."

He turns the shoulder-pat into a hug.

"You are helping," Jaim insists.

(He just happens to be the sort of mess that'll take more than a few days to fix.)

"Then sorry for not being faster about it. I will try my best, regardless." Hug. With wings.

(Winghug! He melts a bit.)

This statement deserves a kiss. Zephyrinus in general deserves kisses, actually. Jaim should get on that.