Yeah. Hug. How I do it is - I'm a Sith, and that's true, and I'm nice, and that's true too, even though Sith aren't nice. I'm not being false when I do those things, I'm just showing different parts of myself.

I don't know if there's a way of being a prince that's true for you, that way. It seems like the one you know isn't.

"I don't know that there is, either. At least not the kind the kingdom actually needs. I don't think I can even keep up the impatient, angry prince front up for long. I certainly don't want to." 

The act basically removes everything good about him. He doesn't want to be the sort of person people like Maol will expect him to be.

Maybe the kingdom needs something different than it thinks it does. She gives him another little squeeze.

If you don't want to be a prince at all that's fine, I don't want to make you think it's not. But I don't want you to think you have to give up something useful just because it's not obvious how to make it work for you. There's lots of ways to be royalty, where I'm from.

"Maybe. Maybe after Gael is king I could be a healer and a prince. Not while our father rules, though." 

Yeah. Well. A year, maybe two, and you don't have to be here for them if you don't want to.

"I don't," he agrees, smiling at her. 

Hug.

Jaim returns shortly after the sun completes its descent, his squad appearing at the treeline and making their way up the hill without any Illusion spells. Noting Ilek and Deskyl atop the gatehouse,he makes his way up to it once they're through the gates and his people have been dismissed.

"Has Maol been troublesome," is the first thing he asks after greeting them, having been worrying about the subject since he'd met the reinforcements earlier. "I'd managed to forget that he was in command of the closest fort to this one."

Rude. But I haven't killed him for it.

"I understand the impulse," he says, wry. "Thank you for your restraint."

He sighs, the stress of the past few hours starting to show, "Has anything else occurred which might need my attention?" He asks. 

Not with us. I spoke to my prisoner; didn't learn anything very interesting, but she's switched sides, she's staying down the hall from us for now.

He nods, "Alright." He'll be unalarmed if he happens upon her in the hallway, then.  

He glances up at the moons' positions in the sky, "I believe I will attempt to get some rest, now," he decides. He'll need every minute he can get to deal with the annoyance sleeping in the same hall as them with the necessary grace. 

Ilek pauses midway through a nod of agreement, with the realization that he isn't sure where he's sleeping tonight. He gives Deskyl an inquiring look. 

Is sleeping with others in the room harmful to your recovery, Stormsinger wonders. He doesn't have any desire to stop her if it is, he'd just like to know. 

As you like, she signs, and moves to follow Jaim.

Not you two. Having the asshole in the building might, but I've dealt with worse - you don't want to know.

He offers the sensation of a hug, I will take your word for it, he agrees. 

He bids them good night once they reach their rooms, disappearing inside to bathe and then get some sleep. 

And then Ilek hovers uncertainly in the hall again. He's not going to just... assume anything. 

She pats his arm and takes his hand. What are you worried about?

"It's your space," he says with an uncertain shrug, "And..." He doesn't know how to explain it. He knows she wouldn't have just let him in her space if she didn't want to, but he's still not really used to anyone outside Jaim, Gael, and Rial treating him as more than an obligation. 

This is some effect of his position, I think, Stormsinger sends after a moment of consideration, Leskil would not invade another's space if he knew he wasn't welcome, but if he had reason to believe he was...he might still be hesitant at first, but not to this extent.

The young one's attitude towards this brings to mind the way he felt about the topic after the Uprising, when he had no way of knowing whether a person accepted his company out of genuine enjoyment or out of obligation. I do not believe Ilek thinks you feel obligated, he adds, But given his position, he has likely had few people in his life who would not. 

Well, that's easily enough addressed.

I like you, she signs, and your rank doesn't intimidate me, I'd tell you if I didn't.

He looks down, a blush rising to his cheeks.

"...I think I know that," he says after a moment, "But it's hard to make myself believe it." 

She straightens a little for a moment, reminiscent of her posture with Maol. You've seen what I'm like with people I don't like.

"Yes," he agrees after a moment, his uncertainty lessening. "I'll stay with you, then?" He asks, stepping towards her door.