Gareth took his eyes off the fight, and he brought his eyes, themselves a meeting of sea and sky, back to Sophia's. His smooth voice spoke, and as usual failed to reflect how nervous he really was. "Ah, Thomas..." He trailed off as if he were thinking deeply or longingly about the man. Then again, Harker'd be lying if he said he didn't like Thomas at all. Words frantically returned to Gareth's mouth as soon as he became aware of his shortcoming. "Ah, yes, sorry, um," fillers spewed on the spot, "Thomas is a very... good... friend, and I admire his strength and character greatly." He pulled himself together again. "Really we only met yesterday however..." Embarrassing himself in front of a princess, he was sure of it.