( he's rewarded with a brief giggle, a rare sound indeed. gaze briefly averted to the loop, she smiles to herself. )
i hope so. i am most pleased with the progress but if i wish to continue, you must turn away your gaze.
( she wraps her arms protectively around it and angles her body away from him. )
yes. do you insist on spoiling the surprise?
( spoken lightly, with an air of playfulness reserved for her closest kin. )
( helaena does not startle, as if she sensed his presence long before he spoke, but draws the loop closer to her chest— shielding it from view. )
you can not know, yet.