Ian was torn between, being happy with the fact that ⨊ allowed him to stay with her and was shocked that she gave him the Mark, the same as ℥enji and ௹enji. And hurt by the fact that because of his rash behavior she would be alone without him until his punishment was over. Over the few months of being with ⨊, he observed how the others acted and behaved with her. How during work they behaved as her servants and didn't say anything unless asked and kept a distance. And when she was resting they would talk and play with her. And say whatever was on their mind.
Ian interacted with the others, but he treated them as to how he would have treated a tour group he had to be with in the past. He asked questions and listened to their advice but never got close to any of them. He watched ⨊ work and rest, how others either feared her or treated her as a pest or tried to hunt her and capture her. How she gave some a chance at being free while killing others without a word.
Ian hated that he couldn't look after her or help her but knew that her allowing him to be with her was already more than he deserved from her. He vowed that when she allowed him to come close again he would never let her go or do anything stupid to make her angry or upset her. And wouldn't break any of her rules unless it meant leaving her. But he also knew that it would be a long time before he could embrace her again. As long as he listened, behaved and controlled himself then he would be able to be with her again in time. He didn't care how long he had to wait for that, as long as he could continue to be with her.
