"Ah, brother?" The fae startled in his seat, eyes widening, his grip tightening on the polished armature as his muscles tensed and stiffened in his feeble attempt to stand before he recalled the deep cut along the sole of his foot. The pain threatening him to settle back down into the soft cushion of his seat, forcing him to merely bow his head and clasp his hands together as he straightened himself in his seat, "Forgive me, I knew not that the Emperor had any kin, let alone a brother. Had I, I would've come to greet you earlier as well, I...I did not mean to offend you with my own ignorance. There is no excuse that can be made." Once more, the words spilled and tumbled like a waterfall down from his lips as he ventured a peek up at the esteemed doctor, having missed his mention of the unruly prince in his haste to make amends for his honest mistake. It was unlikely he would care too much for the casual mentioning. And it was far from unusual for a member of royalty to have a constant if not permanent medical attendant; thus he paid little heed to it. 

 It was certainly a more substantial and shocking revelation to hear that the Emperor had a sibling, especially straight from the mouth of the latter as well. He should've known, but there was little means of doing research from his own home; he had not such diverse and comprehensive documents and explicit novels like that of those scattered extensively around the room. Long winded titles and even longer subtitles that he could barely comprehend in his blurry eyed state. The news had at least served to bring him somewhat back to consciousness and such an effect would carry on as his accounted story was brought up and it's flaws dragged out into the limelight for the Doctor to pick apart and scrutinize. His eyes widened, pupils constricting just as his own heart palpitated a few beats too fast within his chest. 

  He'd not think his story was all that detailed nor informative, but he had at least hoped it would pass for believable and be written off without much thought. Perhaps he should've known better from the well aged man in all his wisdom, he felt almost sheepish when the man seemed to pity him enough not to prod him any further on his fabricated story, but rather give him some counsel on the subject. His voice caught in his throat as he lifted his head up to look at the Doctor, feeling very much like a child under the intimidating watch of his very daunting elder, "I'll...I'll keep that within mind, my lord." 

 Finally, he returned his gaze back down to the small coffee table cleared away for him, feeling even more hesitation in setting his own bare foot against the polished surface. Especially after the books had been so callously shoved off just to accommodate him...

  The Fae truly was far too modest to a fault at times it truly seemed. 

  Eventually, he lifted his leg up obediently with some effort, the limb having gone a little numb, and settled it down gingerly upon the table. Propping himself up further in his seat so he did not slump in his chair. Keeping his eyes trained down upon the sand grains trickling down the curve of his foot, carried in from the beach and into the palace. Unnatural grains across the polished table, the color so similar it was almost hard to discern them from one another. Perhaps it was for his own good that he did not look up until the Doctor approached him once more, in time to see the lid of the box he was rummaging through flipped open towards him so he failed to see the strange and alien shaped metal tools set down inside. That of which would certainly make the Fae shiver and dare to second guess the safety in seeking treatment. It was but a mere flesh wound after all. 

  His attention was raised away from such thoughts that had yet to crawl into his mind at mention of his poorly friend. He had nearly forgotten the man's presence with the silence he had encompassed himself with. Close enough for the first time in a while to reach over and gingerly hover his fingertips over the Mer's shoulder before he finally touched the smooth pale skin with even more hesitation, "Sindre.." He started, then trailed off, unsure what to say. He couldn't lead the Mer back to the sea now, not with the guard that may well be guarding the exits if not waiting outside for them still. Even then the moment was interrupted by the steady procedural voice of Lei's. 
 
  "Ah, condition?." The Fae asked, a little dazed as his attention was shifted back to the well worn man, then shook his head as he fully processed the doctor's instructions, "Forgive me, I mean not to pry." But the second mention of the draconic prince and now this 'condition' had piqued his curiosity even if for the slightest moment before he reigned himself, "I believe I am somewhat..shell shocked from my fall." He made sure to look the Doctor in the eyes this time, though he was certain he was only being childish. He could not hold the man's piercing green gaze for long anyway and so turned back to the Mer. Finding it easier to worry. Tomorrow, tomorrow he'd lead the Mer back to the sea, for now he had to bare with it. 

  He reached back over and placed his hand gently upon the Mer's own as if to reassure him the best he could or at least let some connection lie between them whilst he listened to the Doctor's banter; perhaps chatter was his way to ease his patients into a more relaxed state. At least the revelation of the Doctor being the Emperor's [b]older[/b] sibling was less startling than the first. The Fae knew not of the customs norr hierarchy of the dragons anyway, perhaps it was youngest to take the throne, "He is, a good host. I only believe I have overstepped my boundaries with him at times, but he has been a very forgiving Emperor and..a strict father from what I may incur. Firm. It is not my place to make any more statement." He said quietly, nodding solemnly after to Lei's instructions and warning(?).

  "I understand, I will hurry myself and Sindre back to bed at once. I do hope, if I may ask, that you keep this incident unknown to the Emperor and that of his son should any inquire.." Perhaps it was too much to ask..

[hr]

  [I]Thoom thoom thoom[/I] The Prince's door groaned, subject to the forceful knockings.