@hyrded , the question gave the hound pause. something about being asked if he was okay, it wasn’t right. of course he was alright. aeson never let his confidence waver, never let his lighthearted demeanor go. he wouldn’t let anything be serious. because serious meant he could be hurt. and he wouldn’t let that happen. not again. he was out of hell. he couldn’t feel what he felt for centuries here on earth. but maybe that wasn’t true. maybe he still carried hell with him. so when the question was posed, he huffed. " i’m fine, " he muttered under his breath, hoping the other would find truth in his lie. but it was obvious. he was shaken.