Among other things. That is a complicated subject that he doesn't really want to get into over the phone.
"Okay, then - it's - I really want that," he admits, desperately. "And I know I shouldn't, and I know it's the freaky non consenting magic talking and I'm not going to - to -" He trails off, searching for the right words. "If you asked me to marry you I would say yes immediately and then after I'd make sure that you weren't - going crazy or under the effects of anything terrible and that you didn't feel like you had to out of obligation rather than an actual desire to. And that's - I'm - I'm jealous and also worried for them but I want them to be happy and wish there were a better option but it's still better than being cut, and, and I don't even know, I'm just - it's really hard to explain but I'm trying."
"It's okay to want it. I mean, I understand. You're being very responsible about not being - gross about wanting it, but the wanting part is fine."
"I'm trying to be responsible and reasonable," says Aldaras. "I - don't think I always manage it, but I'm genuinely trying. Tell me, when I screw it up?"
"Good. I -" Pause. "I love you. I've been trying not to make it awkward by saying it, but I do."
"And - and I'm not saying that with the expectation that you should reply in turn, because don't, don't ever do that just because I said it, I am under the influence of funky love magic, that's - not what I - I'm... I'm making such a mess of this, sorry."
"Okay, good. I - realized after that in normal society terms there's a bit of an expectation behind it or - I didn't want you to feel like that, I didn't even realize until after."
"I understand. Is there even a point to me saying you can just skip past awkward apologizing for various consequences of being necklaced till I say otherwise?"
"I'll probably do it anyway," he snorts. "Sorry, it's - I'm not - I don't think I'm the sort of person that's good at being magically in love."
"She's okay, she's not here right now, I think she's trying to find something to try and destroy the knife with. She wanted to throw it into a volcano earlier. And then throw it to rabid badgers or something."