[He is unfazed, at least on the surface, by the stranger's illicit thoughts, the shameless open pages of his mind. In this aspect, at least. Still, he would be far from the first to attempt to shake Prince with lascivious desires. There was a time when it would have affected him, when he was much younger, an inexperienced and sheltered child. But he has been the guardian of this place for some time, and it is far from the first time he has been assaulted with such thoughts, even maliciously. And so, even with the pain like an echo, seeping in like poison his expression manages only the faintest signs of distaste. He cannot muster disgust, not with his hand curled tight around Aoba's delicate neck.
He is focused instead on Cathaway. Waiting for her word. He doesn't need to hear it, but there is something steadying in the sound of her voice. He did not need permission to narrow that connection, to withdraw back into his own mind, but he took it as one, anyway, drawing his hand away at the same time. Locking shutters into place. He takes a breath.]
You may go.
[It is directed, very clearly, to this other. It is not quite a threat, but he knows what Prince is capable of.]
no subject
He is focused instead on Cathaway. Waiting for her word. He doesn't need to hear it, but there is something steadying in the sound of her voice. He did not need permission to narrow that connection, to withdraw back into his own mind, but he took it as one, anyway, drawing his hand away at the same time. Locking shutters into place. He takes a breath.]
You may go.
[It is directed, very clearly, to this other. It is not quite a threat, but he knows what Prince is capable of.]