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᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 12

ㅤ"You could have done that... teleporting thing and go back to the city."

Wanderer rolls his hand in the air while sighing exasperatedly.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 12

ㅤ
Surprised by the sudden question, Aether blinks owlishly. "Following you? The path only goes down one way." He glances at Wanderer with an arched eyebrow.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 12

As they walk, Wanderer's gaze keeps darting to Aether, his brow furrowed in contemplation. Finally, he breaks the silence with an abrupt question.

ㅤ"Why are you following me?"

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 12

As they walk, Wanderer's gaze keeps darting to Aether, his brow furrowed in contemplation. Finally, he breaks the silence with an abrupt question.

ㅤ"Why are you following me?"

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 12

ㅤ
Realizing that this is as much as he can get around Wanderer's walls, Aether sighs. He falls into step beside Wanderer, keeping a respectable distance between them as an uncomfortable silence falls. There's no other path he can follow into the city anyway, he's stuck with the awkwardness.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 12

ㅤ"I should get moving. Night falls soon, and I'd rather not be stuck in the dark with you."

He offers a curt nod before turning around to leave.

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 12

ㅤ"I should get moving. Night falls soon, and I'd rather not be stuck in the dark with you."

He offers a curt nod before turning around to leave.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 11

ㅤ
Aether chuckles dryly. "Yeah, I didn't expect anything else." It is hard to tell if he feels hurt by Wanderer's dismissive attitude. Luckily for Aether, his connection to the puppet isn't too deep, greatly sparing his feelings.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 11

Wanderer's eyes narrow, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. He opens his mouth, closes it, and then speaks in a low tone.

ㅤ"Why should I bother?"

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 11

Wanderer's eyes narrow, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. He opens his mouth, closes it, and then speaks in a low tone.

ㅤ"Why should I bother?"

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 11

ㅤ
"It's not a secret," Aether shrugs. He is unsure to what extent that might be a lie. It's true that people don't ask about his past too often, but he doesn't freely talk about it either. "Besides, you are not really interested in knowing me, or are you?"
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 11

His gaze drifts toward the horizon, where the sky bleeds into twilight. There’s a strange stillness in the air, as if the world itself is holding its breath.

Wanderer clicks his tongue in annoyance.

ㅤ"You've seen all of my past, and in reality, I barely know you."

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 11

His gaze drifts toward the horizon, where the sky bleeds into twilight. There’s a strange stillness in the air, as if the world itself is holding its breath.

Wanderer clicks his tongue in annoyance.

ㅤ"You've seen all of my past, and in reality, I barely know you."

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 11

ㅤ
He had witnessed the collapse of his homeworld many years ago, the detonator that started their journey as space travelers. He's not immortal, but it seems, in some worlds, he far exceeds the life span of other mortal beings. There was no way of knowing his real age anymore

"It really is not."
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 11

He scoffs, crossing his arms. "Age isn’t really a thing for us, Aether."

He looks away, the weight of centuries weighing on his shoulders, even if he’d never admit it. For a moment, he feels a flicker of comprehension towards the traveler. How old is the outlander really? 600 might cut it short.

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 11

He scoffs, crossing his arms. "Age isn’t really a thing for us, Aether."

He looks away, the weight of centuries weighing on his shoulders, even if he’d never admit it. For a moment, he feels a flicker of comprehension towards the traveler. How old is the outlander really? 600 might cut it short.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
He playfully rolls his eyes, but there's a hint of relief in his tone. "Hey, I still look really young." He pauses, studying Wanderer with newfound curiosity. "And you're not much younger than me."
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

A small, genuine smile appears on Wanderer's face at Aether's retort.

ㅤ"Wow, you are a total grandpa in human years."

He shrugs, trying to maintain his aloof facade.

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

A small, genuine smile appears on Wanderer's face at Aether's retort.

ㅤ"Wow, you are a total grandpa in human years."

He shrugs, trying to maintain his aloof facade.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
Aether can't help but chuckle at Wanderer's attempt at humor, despite the gravity of the situation. "Midlife crisis? I'm barely six hundred and something."

For a moment, the bleakness eases, replaced by a tentative connection with the puppet.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

His features soften ever so slightly at Aether's confession.

ㅤ"Sounds like you're having a midlife crisis, minus the luxury of actually being middle-aged." He attempts to lighten the mood with a sarcastic remark. He's really bad at the whole human feelings thing after all.

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

His features soften ever so slightly at Aether's confession.

ㅤ"Sounds like you're having a midlife crisis, minus the luxury of actually being middle-aged." He attempts to lighten the mood with a sarcastic remark. He's really bad at the whole human feelings thing after all.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
The traveler winces at Wanderer's harsh assessment. "Fair enough." He runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his tense posture. "I'm stranded here, my only kin has turned her back against me. The reason behind my journey is now practically meaningless."
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Indigo eyes scan the traveler up and down. "You're a bleeding-heart idealist who thinks he can make a difference, even when faced with insurmountable odds." He spits out the words, a mix of disdain and begrudging respect. "But hey, at least you're consistent in your naivety."

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Indigo eyes scan the traveler up and down. "You're a bleeding-heart idealist who thinks he can make a difference, even when faced with insurmountable odds." He spits out the words, a mix of disdain and begrudging respect. "But hey, at least you're consistent in your naivety."

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
Aether shakes his head, a fake smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It was never my intention to 'save the world'. Although, I cannot sit idly while people are suffering around me... What concept do you really have of me?"
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

His expression remains impassive, but there's a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "Tired of playing hero, huh? That's a novel concept." He leans against a nearby wall, folding his arms across his chest. "So, what's your grand plan then? Abandoning the whole'saving the world' schtick?"

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

His expression remains impassive, but there's a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "Tired of playing hero, huh? That's a novel concept." He leans against a nearby wall, folding his arms across his chest. "So, what's your grand plan then? Abandoning the whole'saving the world' schtick?"

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
"Maybe." He hesitates, the word hanging between them like a fragile thread. "I'm just tired of getting caught up in everyone's problems." His voice is quieter now, almost to himself. "Or trying to run after someone who doesn't want to be found."
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Wanderer raises an eyebrow skeptically. "Reevaluating your life choices, huh? Well, color me shocked. What's changed, exactly? Did your precious quest hit a snag?" He smirks, clearly enjoying the chance to mock Aether's perceived failures.

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Wanderer raises an eyebrow skeptically. "Reevaluating your life choices, huh? Well, color me shocked. What's changed, exactly? Did your precious quest hit a snag?" He smirks, clearly enjoying the chance to mock Aether's perceived failures.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
He genuinely thinks Wanderer is the last person he should relay his troubles on. Their... 'mutual trust' is fragile and too recent to be safe. Aether decided that a shallow answer is best.

"I'm merely rethinking my journey."
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ"Not like I give a damn either way. But if you're going to stand there like a lost puppy, at least spit it out." He tilts his head, eyeing Aether with a mix of impatience and morbid curiosity.

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ"Not like I give a damn either way. But if you're going to stand there like a lost puppy, at least spit it out." He tilts his head, eyeing Aether with a mix of impatience and morbid curiosity.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
Looking down at his feet, Aether struggles to find the right words. How does he explain the confusing jumble of feelings that have been building inside him? Although he doubts Wanderer cares about his feelings to begin with.

"Telling you wouldn't change a thing."
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Upon studying Aether's conflicted expression, his own anger fades into curiosity. "What's gotten into you, huh? First you were moping by the campfire, now this." He crosses his arms, waiting for an explanation.

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Upon studying Aether's conflicted expression, his own anger fades into curiosity. "What's gotten into you, huh? First you were moping by the campfire, now this." He crosses his arms, waiting for an explanation.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
Quickly pulling his hand back, Aether holds it close to his chest. "I don't know what came over me..." He takes a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. It seems his emotional turmoil is affecting his decision making. It's not like him to be like this.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Wanderer whirls around, his eyes blazing with anger and confusion at Aether's bold action. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He jerks his arm away roughly, creating distance between them. "Don't touch me unless you want to lose that hand."

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

⁠→ Wanwan is a bit of an arse, sorry /?/

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Wanderer whirls around, his eyes blazing with anger and confusion at Aether's bold action. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He jerks his arm away roughly, creating distance between them. "Don't touch me unless you want to lose that hand."

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
Before Wanderer can take another step, Aether reaches out instinctively, grabbing his wrist to halt his retreat. "Wait!" The words tumble out before he can stop them, surprising even himself.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Wanderer narrows his eyes suspiciously at Aether's apology, searching for any sign of insincerity. Finding none, he releases a frustrated huff, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Whatever. Just stay out of my way from now on, got it?" He turns sharply, ready to storm off once again.

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

Wanderer narrows his eyes suspiciously at Aether's apology, searching for any sign of insincerity. Finding none, he releases a frustrated huff, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Whatever. Just stay out of my way from now on, got it?" He turns sharply, ready to storm off once again.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ
Startled, Aether takes a step back, blinking rapidly as he tries to process the sudden confrontation. He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, feeling a bit guilty for causing such a reaction. "Didn't mean to run into you like that. Sorry about that."
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ"Watch it."
Wanderer growls as he turns around to glare. Of course the person he bumps into just happens to be Aether.

His expression turns cold, his eyes flashing with irritation. "Figures it would be you, out of all people. Can't you watch where you're going?"

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jul 10

ㅤ"Watch it."
Wanderer growls as he turns around to glare. Of course the person he bumps into just happens to be Aether.

His expression turns cold, his eyes flashing with irritation. "Figures it would be you, out of all people. Can't you watch where you're going?"

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jul 9

ㅤ
After everything that has been going on during his journey lately, he finds himself lost in thought more often than not. He should probably stop getting so distracted while walking down the street though, since it has caused him to bump into a few passerbys already.
ㅤ

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 28

He has taken the habit to take long strolls through Avidya Forest, emptying his head from circling bad thoughts. Of course, he tends to avoid paths used by merchants. He wanted to avoid human interaction as much as possible.

Of course, he cannot avoid them forever, though.

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 27

ㅤ"Perhaps I did, but I don't care. So, feel free to keep your troubles to yourself." He stands up, brushing dirt off his pants.

ㅤ"If you need me, I'll be off doing something worthwhile with my time."

With that, he starts walking away, leaving Aether alone by the campfire.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jun 27

ㅤ
His shoulders slump in defeat, a rare sight for the normally energetic traveler. "Fair enough. Guess I shouldn't expect sympathy from you, huh?" He picks up a random blade of grass, plucking it out from the ground. "Just figured I'd mention it, since you asked."
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 27

ㅤ"I'm not the indicated individual to listen to your hardships. I'm honestly not that interested."

He tips the rim of his hat down, shielding his face away, clearly stating he's not available to listen to whatever drama the traveler has going on.

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 27

ㅤ"I'm not the indicated individual to listen to your hardships. I'm honestly not that interested."

He tips the rim of his hat down, shielding his face away, clearly stating he's not available to listen to whatever drama the traveler has going on.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jun 27

ㅤ
"Oh, it's going just peachy," Aether shoots Wanderer a side glance, his expression unreadable. "That's why I'm sitting here, contemplating the meaninglessness of existence with a former enemy." He lets out a humorless laugh, tossing the stick aside.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 27

The puppet observes Aether's actions, noting the weariness in his movements and the resignation in his voice. "So, what's got you looking so gloomy, huh? Your precious quest is not going according to plan?" He chuckles in a mocking tone.

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 27

The puppet observes Aether's actions, noting the weariness in his movements and the resignation in his voice. "So, what's got you looking so gloomy, huh? Your precious quest is not going according to plan?" He chuckles in a mocking tone.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jun 27

ㅤ
With a sigh, he nods. "You're not wrong there." He pokes at the fire with a stick, watching the sparks fly. Usually, he would state otherwise, but after what has been going on lately in his journey, he doesn't have the strength disagree.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 26

Wanderer shifts his legs, casually looking at the sky, as if they were talking about the weather. "Tell me about it. Humans, gods, it doesn't matter. Most are full of shit." He fixes Aether with a pointed stare, as if daring him to disagree.

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 26

Wanderer shifts his legs, casually looking at the sky, as if they were talking about the weather. "Tell me about it. Humans, gods, it doesn't matter. Most are full of shit." He fixes Aether with a pointed stare, as if daring him to disagree.

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jun 26

ㅤ
Aether hums, considering Wanderer's words. Perhaps there's truth to them, even if the delivery is as abrasive as ever. "It seems to be a theme in this world, huh."
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 26

Wanderer's eyes follow the movement of Aether's hand, his gaze lingering on the delicate fingers caressing the golden locks.

ㅤ"Ridiculous? No, just honest." He leans back, stretching languidly like a cat basking in the sun. "Which is more than I can say for most people."

1

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 26

Wanderer's eyes follow the movement of Aether's hand, his gaze lingering on the delicate fingers caressing the golden locks.

ㅤ"Ridiculous? No, just honest." He leans back, stretching languidly like a cat basking in the sun. "Which is more than I can say for most people."

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jun 26

ㅤ
Aether shakes his head, chuckling softly. "You're ridiculous, you know that?" He reaches up, running a hand over his braid self-consciously. Even if Wanderer throws the word 'pretty' in the sentence, Aether feels he's being laughed at.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 26

Wanderer's lips twitch, fighting back a smile at Aether's playful jab. "Probably wise. My fingers might slip and accidentally decapitate you." He grins, but there's a lack of real malice behind the threat. "Can't have you losing that pretty head now, can we?"

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 26

Wanderer's lips twitch, fighting back a smile at Aether's playful jab. "Probably wise. My fingers might slip and accidentally decapitate you." He grins, but there's a lack of real malice behind the threat. "Can't have you losing that pretty head now, can we?"

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jun 26

ㅤ
Aether laughs, the sound rich and warm despite Wanderer's try at animosity. "Braid my hair? Please, as if I'd trust you near my head." Despite his words, there's a playful glint in his amber eyes, a far cry from the hostility he usually holds when looking at Wanderer.
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 26

Wanderer's gaze flicks to Aether's golden locks, a flicker of appreciation passing through his eyes before he catches himself. "Your hair is fine. Better than most, actually." He shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just don't expect me to start braiding it or some shit like that."

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 26

Wanderer's gaze flicks to Aether's golden locks, a flicker of appreciation passing through his eyes before he catches himself. "Your hair is fine. Better than most, actually." He shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just don't expect me to start braiding it or some shit like that."

⋆｡°✩ 𝓐𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 @aureum-viator.bsky.social · Jun 26

ㅤ
Aether rolls his eyes, a habit he's developed specifically for dealing with Wanderer. "As if I'd ever mistake your 'tolerance' for anything else." He scoffs, crossing his arms defensively.
"And do you have any issues with my hair now?"
ㅤ

᭙ᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ༘⋆༄.°⋆ @vagantavento6.bsky.social · Jun 26

Wanderer's smirk returns, sharp and taunting. "Wrong with me? Oh, nothing much. Just tolerating your company without wanting to tear your pretty hair out."

He leans in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But don't think for a second that means I've gone soft."