[ On the one hand, he doesn't really want to argue, and he knows van Zieks isn't doing it to be mean. On the other hand, he is still holding van Zieks' hand and... Kaspar realizes suddenly that the other man is actually arguing in favor of a compliment to him? Or at least, that's the conclusion Kaspar arrives at.

Any other words he was trying to prepare crumble to pieces. He's never been checkmated quite like that, brute forced into accepting praise. In the moment, he can't even decide how he feels about that! But it does resemble a soreness, the rare kind that he will need to poke at later when he's bored.

Stop making his ears red, they're already a little pink from the sun. Kaspar laughs suddenly, but it's the bright kind, soft around the edges as he tries to guide them both into his farm. ]

... you win, I have strength of character. And don't worry, Trahearne shouldn't be back yet.

[ Kaspar turns away then, keeping hold of his hand as long as he's allowed-- even as he holds the door for him.

Not that he can look at him when he informs the floor of personal.shit he didn't really plan on saying. It's clearly rote from somewhere, though he means the mostly borrowed words just the same. He even leaves out the lines that he's been fed to remain on the marriage registry but never agreed with: ]

... all of it--It takes time and practice. Forgiving all ignorances and trespasses. Finding what really matters to you now, accepting all weaknesses, strengths, and what cannot be changed.

[ Don't perceive him. ]

But it, does become easier, to hear yourself. And listen.