Gallus lowered his brow and let out an amused breath between his teeth and his lips, but didn't quite laugh. "Meesei," he said, feigning exaggerated offense, "you do not give me enough credit. I would not presume as much to ask such things." Gallus glanced away, hinting the truth of her prediction that, yes, it did cross his mind. "I enjoy a good romance story as much as the next person. That you have had that in you life does make you a bit less of an enigma, at least."

In reflection of Meesei, Gallus stopped leaning forward as much as he continued. "Still, regardless of how much you enjoy your research - and I imagine that it is [i]very[/i] enjoyable - have you ever had eyes for anyone else since then? Any man in the Bruma clan? This clan? Any woman, even? Not that you have to pursue it," Gallus waved a hand, "This is all pure academic interest."

[hr]
Tzirret lightly shook his head, but the realisation of La'khay's words made his eyes widen and his lightly swaying tail stop. "Ma...Ma'tanza? When did this-?" Tzirret sighed as he remembered that he had mentioned interest in Ma'tanza just a moment before in passing. "Tzirret has not found another mate, no," he mumbled without enthusiasm before looking up to La'khay again, "He just wanted to avoid offending anyone who he might want to try and get into a relationship with...and he is...he does not want to accidentally fall in love with [i]you[/i] again. He does not know if it would happen, but...the thought has made him feel uncomfortable."

Now that he laid out his reasoning, Tzirret looked away again. He mumbled a comment, "Ma'tanza is very beautiful, but Tzirret is not sure..."