"It is not as simple as that. Had it not happened, I would most likely have refused it out of pride and suspicion. You see..." he hesitated for a moment, but then continue "... I had dealings with similar beings in my past. It did not go well. In fact, I would not exaggerate to say that they ruined my life. These Aspects... are most likely not the same. But I am not certain. They could very well be. I would never have considered accepting had I not begun to see a different side of the story."

A different side of a woman.

"I might have been an unconscionably evil bastard back then, but I valued by humanity. I still do. I have never wished to transcend my humanity, only to explore its limits. if that makes sense."

"Oh, and no one ever hang you for your humility," she said, teasing him. "Never fear for that." She moved away from him again. "Will they give you time to decide? Or will they come again?"

"I have never been a humble man I fear." He was actually smiling now, which felt more natural than he had thought. "You if anyone should know that." It was true, even as a child he had never been humble about his achievements, he was good and he knew it, and he would get better. Some things never changed, but over time there had been fewer and fewer people he would view as equals, or as sources of inspiration.

"I do not know. I hope that she will visit soon, but she might have been ordered to stay away from me. She is supposed to be unbiased in these matters, and we are walking a very thin line here. The price is higher for her than for me."

"You sound like an old song. She-she-she." Morgana smiled. "Then may she come. I think the sooner you reach a resolution, the better for us all."

"It is difficult when a woman has no other name than what people assigns to her." Maalech frowned a little, then looked at her with curiosity. "Do I truly sound like that? I did not mean to sound smitten." He sounded a bit as if he was annoyed that he might be transparant.

"I don't mean to tease. Well, perhaps a little." She bowed her head in apology. "But aye, a little. There's still so much I don't know about you. In this seeming, anyway."

"Teasing is something I have learned to accept since me and Morgan became friends. It seems the man is incapable of having a conversation without insinuating that I need some manner of love life. Or possibly drink more." He was keeping a straight face, but he had to admit that it is rather funny.

"Few people do know me" he admitted. "You are not alone in that. But I do not mind these talks." As if he realized how that sounded, he added a moment later "I enjoy talking with you." Not to you. There was a subtle difference.

"And I you," she said. "I wasn't exaggerating. You remind me . . . reminded me . . . " She shook her head, lost on which word to use. "Of all the stories Mother used to tell about me when I was a girl. I . . . I am going to miss you."

Maalech was quiet there for a little, unable to find what words to say. He was not someone who dealt with emotions very well, especially not when they threatened to overwhelm him as well.

In the end he settled for a sighed "Things change. Even though we would not always wish for it to be so. I was truly happy" he admitted. "I don't think I had ever been that before. That someone understood."

"Then I am glad to give that to you," she said. "Do you . . . do you think it will be enough, to get you through where you must go?"