[as he listens, he thinks that he was probably right about taking his mask off. he feels comfortable, around xie lian, and he wonders if emet did too.]

I would be happy to do any of those things. [hythlodaeus says finally, tilting his head back.]

You are not entirely incorrect. Perhaps there would have been sorrow, pain, but I would much rather have had carried the burden of it.

[he glances down at his feet - where the shoebill has just appeared? it's just here now. it's still ignoring the both of them, but when hythlodaeus reaches down to stroke the top of its head, it doesn't move away.]

In any case. I have plenty of happy memories involving him, despite his nature. My hope is that some of what I remember survived the long years.

[a beat, and then a small laugh:] I've not even any idea where to start.