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Bastion had just returned from a fruitful session of haggling and bargaining for the sapphires he needed for his latest piece. He was talking to himself, commending himself on a job well done and planning the cuts out loud, when he nodded at the Conquest soldier standing guard outside of the tower, and immediately headed inside.

Then he realized that he'd recognized that soldier, and he paused in his step, trying to resolve the differences between his memory, and what he'd seen.

That had been the Lady Lan. Certainly it had. And yet.

He moved backwards, until he could see her again, and his mouth opened in surprise.

"My lady," He bowed low, his arm flourishing traditionally. "A thousand apologies. I did not realize that was you." It was a new look for Lan, he realized. A new life for many.

If Bastion had even the slightest idea about how Lan felt concerning his greeting, he would have shriveled up and died on the spot. It was far more difficult for him to judge anyone else - especially not his friends from the clan of Conquest - than it was to judge himself. Being that he wore nothing but the lower half of a humble garb, and a thin, fraying vest, scorched with marks of use too close to the forge. He nodded fervently, all too understanding of the idea of keeping changes quiet. "Of course, I would never consider your boastful, my lady. But this is quite a new look for you, and a new position as well. I can only imagine that your life was looking for a change, and this is quite an exciting one I must say. You look majestic, and stoic! It's a good look for you. Very good!"

He grinned; clearly overflowing with genuine appreciation. "Our new home has been just fantastic, thank you for asking! I haven't had a real forge to work with since our home on the isles. Honestly, I haven't eaten in two days, and I hardly sleep - I'm just so excited to get back to work! Real work!"

Bastion's comical expression quirked with confusion. "Surely there is time to wear your gowns when you are not working here, protecting our new home, hmm?" He couldn't imagine a reason why Lan couldn't be comfortable in her pretty gowns when she was relaxing in her new abode. Then again, he hadn't relaxed since he'd gotten there, so her life might have been as busy. He smiled with understanding, and patted her gently on the shoulder. "But of course, you will have time soon enough. Time will eventually provide us with a more stable schedule than we start with here." He'd just assumed he would find the time to eat, or sleep, when he was done with one project - until another stole his attention.

"Ah, I am shamed by my failure to take care of myself. Please, my lady Lan, forgive this shameful waste of a horseman. I will return upstairs immediately to tend to my health needs, eat a warm meal, sleep, ah, perhaps right after I cut these diamonds I have just acquired from the market, such a fine price I found for them.."

He'd been on the right track, but at the end he started to drift, distracted by the idea of creating once more.

Was he making Lan uncomfortable? His distant stare focused harder on her expressions, and the subtle ways they changed as she struggled with her thoughts. His skin darkened with embarrassment, as he grasped wildly in his own mind to try and figure out what he might have been doing, or saying, to put her out of ease.

And all at once, Lan pinched his arm, teasing him for speaking ill of himself. It meant that she wasn't uncomfortable, at least - and his face lit up brightly, beaming at her with pride. "You think too highly of this wretch, my lady! But I will accept your words, as I would never think to do otherwise. I must concede that I will do better. My first goal will be to, ah, I suppose, find some food."

He was going to say make some food, until he realized that another thing he'd forgotten to do is actually acquire the means necessary to have anything to make. His house mate, Lushka, had not come to fill their drawers with food just yet either - and that meant that Bastion's only sustenance within his living quarters was chips of gems, wood, and steel. A dangerous diet indeed.

"Ah, if only I'd seen you before I left for the bazaar today. What a pity, I come back filled with only rocks to play with, and nothing in my belly or in my stores." His head dropped. "Truly I am a wretch."

The mention of a mare made his brows furrow for a moment, as he considered who she might be speaking of. The briefest of moments passed where his heart fluttered at the thought of one, but it was quickly squashed by reality. "Ah, you mean my cousin, of course. I agree, she would be upset - I shall find her and request that she spare me a meal today, to give me the time to fill my house with food soon enough."

She had to have meant Nergui. No other mare gave two gold coins about his well being, anymore.

If not Nergui, then-? Bastion didn't want to accept that Lan was making a reference to Mjoll, but it was becoming clearer that the intent was just so, and he decided he wanted to move away from the subject as quickly as possible.

"I apologize, of course, of course. My family and friends are supportive as they can be. And you, perhaps! I do consider you a friend in turn, my lady. I hope you know that." He smiled a small, gentle smile. "But now I should perhaps head to do exactly what you have advised me to do, and head back up to the top to take care of myself." He held out his hand for hers, and bowed his head meekly. If she gave her hand to him in the traditional manner, he was quick to take it up and kiss the back of it. If she did not, he would not react in offense, and deepen his bow to something more flourished.

"Until I am blessed with your presence again, my fair lady."