[@shylarah]

The trained killer in him activated for a fraction of a split second. He saw it all happen in his head. Catching the girl by her throat in mid-air and snapping her neck with a flick of his wrist went through his mind, not as intent, but as reflex. To the contrary, his arm did not move. Instead, in a lightning fast blur of motion, he squared his body to her and braced to accept her hug. He didn't exactly hug her back. He merely caught her and stood. She was heavier than he last time he had lifted her in that garden. He hadn't expected her to burst in, nor her outburst of emotion. Unsure of what to do, he spoke exactly what was on his mind. 

"Amuné, you have just surprised me." He said just a little less cold than he had ever spoken before. There was a sliver of softness to replaced the cracked, hard tone he was accustomed to using.

He hefted her effortlessly to one side, holding her up with a single arm, and turned to walk out. He nearly forgot his armor, stopping to will it all upon his body. "Come, I need to eat."