[Oh, touching. He does not lean away from the hand on his cheek, alien as it is to be touched so gently. It's actually kind of nice? He would not have expected another person's hand to leave him feeling at ease like this.

It is most definitely obvious that the small gesture is soothing. Blind men could tell that, even if Easal is not sure how to sort it.]

I feel you. No, that's not what you wanted. I know. It's ... [for a man who loves words and speaking, he sure is having a time gathering these together] ... It's nice.

[nailed it]

Ha, it shows. I knew it would.

[The hand he can take. It too is a comfort, to be held like this. Oh he can feel himself turning into a sap. After decades of not being a sap, here he goes! He can't even be mad about it. It just feels nice.]

No, no I am not worried. This is not something to worry over. I am unused to it, and perhaps unsure is a better way of saying it.

[a pause.]

Well! When I said before that I do not have much of a relationship image, I meant it, and you can see that more clearly. My siblings, fellow soldiers, friends and citizens all, open up so much quicker than I. I am not fully sure that is very Seelie-like at all, but it is very Easal-like. Very Easal, indeed.

[give him a moment to breathe, and he will give a careful squeeze back]

From me, I hope I do it well. I don't feel grounded in the least.