"That's kind of broad, but if you're satisfied with it I suppose that's enough." It sounds like he doesn't really think One should be satisfied with it, though.

"-I. You could- try? To ask? If you- think I should- but-"

"If you think I shouldn't I won't, sweetheart."

"I just- He's- It's scary."

"Yeah, but - you're scared for a reason, right? And I should pay attention to that; I think we'll be safe either way, I'm pretty sure I can take him in a fight if I have to, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to provoke him if I can help it."

One nods slowly again. "You just seemed- About what I knew?"

"It's usually important to people to know about where they came from, and decide what they think was good or bad about it. It gives you - more of a story about who you are and where you're going, for most people, and what you want to do with your life. So it'd be good to have, that way. But that's not the only important thing - this is already going to be hard for you, and if we leave without provoking him there's a better chance he'll answer your letter later, if you want to do that." He shrugs. "These things are always messy, it's hard to say what the best way is. And I don't know him at all, you're going to be a better judge that way."

One is quiet for a long moment, thinking that over. "Think it's probably better not to, right now?" he hazards, sneaking looks at Raafi like he's not sure that's the right answer.

"Then that's what we'll do. I do think we should tell him we're going; do you think that's a bad idea? It would be strange not to, he'd probably think it was rude, but it gives him a chance to pick a fight if we do, if he's the type. I can wait until you're out of the house to do it, if you don't want to see him; that should be fine."

"I- he might not--want to let me leave?"

"I don't think he's going to be happy. But I can't let him keep you here if you don't want to stay, my god doesn't allow me to, and I'm pretty sure he knows that, most people do. So the question isn't whether he'll be happy, it's whether he'll start a fight about it, knowing that I can't back down and might be stronger than he is."

"...m'sorry, don't know if he'll fight. Never really seen him get mad at people."

"Mmhmm. Well, I'll tell him, and you don't have to be there unless you want to."

"...Don't think I do." He sounds guilty about that.

"That's all right, sweetheart."

"You know, even if you had been just an animal, it wouldn't've been okay for him to treat you that way. It matters less, and to different gods, but it still matters. It's not like this would have been fine if only he'd been right about you." He's angry about it, just a little.

One twitches back a little, eyes widening. "I- he did look after me?"

"Not well enough to excuse anything. He didn't even know what kind of food you're supposed to be eating."

"...Oh. I- Oh." He doesn't seem to know what else to say to that.

"I'll have to talk to one of my druid friends about it - I don't know much about red pandas - and he'll be livid." He sighs. "But we'll get things straightened out for you, and figure out how to make sure he doesn't do anything like this again."

One twitches, and opens his mouth, almost as though he's about to apologise again, and then stops, cocking his head slightly - he's very confused by the concept of people being angry on his behalf instead of angry with him, but he's also concerned that continuing to apologise will make them angry at him for not understanding it.

"I- that's- good? He shouldn't hurt people."

"He really shouldn't, and I'm sorry it happened even the once. But I'll leave that to someone who can talk to him about it without yelling. I'll probably be busy with you for a while, anyway, I want to make sure you get settled in somewhere you like."

There's a little confusion there, and then a tiny nod. "I- you don't- have to? I'll...be okay?"

"I don't mind. This kind of thing is my job too."

"...Oh." Pauses, thinks about that. "Thank you."

"It's no trouble."

He waits quietly for another minute, and Deka turns up before he says anything else, wearing a full backpack and with both griffons along; Figment is riding on her shoulder, and Phantasm glides over to Raafi's.

    "Going?"

"Mmhmm. I'm going to stay behind for a minute to talk to Rogeiros, but I've got a fireproofing spell for you, I want you to take One down to ground level and be ready to go if he decides to attack me."

    "Okay." She peers at One. "Heal first? In case?"

"I can." He looks back at One. "If you'd like. I was going to wait until things had gotten a little less overwhelming; it might feel strange, if you've been that thin for a while."