Autharyx turns his hand as the tail moves, letting the soft fur trail over the sensitive skin of his palm and wrist. The appendage is still fascinating to him, but it becomes easier and easier to just let it do what it wants without wanting to reach back as much. It's still tempting, especially since Viltez had admitted it felt good to be touched there. But the memory of how anxious he got about feeling overwhelmed is enough to keep his curiosity in check. Is this how mortals feel the time, all concerned about how the other will feel? It seems rather tedious, but then he supposes it doesn't feel tedious with Viltez. 

At the beast-man's words, he can't help but stare at him with a quiet intensity. He thinks back to being in the forest with Viltez, to how the spirits and energy around them had woken up and been set abuzz. Viltez might not be consciously aware of it, but he is clearly very much in tune with the whispers he's now talking about. It kind of reminds him of the few temple guardians that he'd bothered to take a shine to. He's briefly struck by the image of Viltez kneeling at his shrine, tail lazily sweeping back and forth in the light of a rising sun as his clever fingers lighting incense over a freshly prepared sacrifice. The stab of possessiveness is familiar by now, and he indulges in it only briefly before shoving it to the back of his mind with what is quickly becoming practiced ease.

"You are truly extraordinary," he says when he's sure it won't come out as a growl. His voice is still rough and low, but human enough. He kind of wants to get in close, to press Viltez up against the nearest wall and press his nose into the crook of his neck to scent him- remind himself that he is [i]here[/i], that Autharyx is right here with him. He wants to lean into him, work his hand under his shirt to feel the heat of his skin and dare him to touch Autharyx as well. It seems... impolite though, so he swallows the impulse down and turns back to his food.

"It's good soup," he says only a little awkwardly. "I can clean up after, if you like?"