“Did you try telling him having a better understanding of his abilities might elevate them?”

There’s a pinch at Richard’s brow, immediately skeptical of any resistance offered by Matthias. He seems like he should be very easy to manipulate.

“Regardless,” he interrupts before she can clarify one way or the other, “we shouldn’t have this conversation here.” Sound has a way of carrying over stone, they are at the juncture of two blind alleys, and did she just wipe her hand --

The impetus behind his study of her flattens out. Weary.

“We can go into the city. Otherwise, my quarters are unoccupied.”