To Arkash's initial realization - that Taelian was not a Draedan any longer - the man smiled faintly, curling his lips somewhat as if to take it all in stride, or good humor. He said nothing; that smile was his quiet acknowledgment, a recognition of the truth. Taelian was, indeed, no longer a wielder of that divine heritage. It was in there... somewhere, but not quite on the surface like it was for that glimpse of time. He could remember that experience innately: clearly. It was different to simply being alive, like how he was now - it was a feeling of peerlessness, a sort of perfection. To be in good health, to feel vibrant and unwavering... he longed for it again. And yet, it was gone.
Saying nothing further on the matter of his divinity, he felt his own face flush as Arkash made his proposition all the more awkward. "I don't care that you're skinny, or inexperienced... and I might mind the smell a bit, but--" he paused, scratching his stubble, "...I think you just need a safe place to stay; a home, where you can bathe and the like. That scent isn't inherent to you at all, it's a product of your toils and your suffering. I used to smell like shite myself, you know, living in the Bedlam. Probably like a dead rat; a carcass hanging around somewhere. And now -- things are different. They can be for you, too."
The man smiled warmly, taking hold of Arkash's shoulder and rubbing it for a moment. "Stop fretting, Arkash. I'll guide you through everything; every moment. You won't have to feel like a 'freak' with me. You can feel... beautiful. And loved."
As for when he was to leave... he pondered for a moment. In truth, he did not really know. It depended largely on when he could gain a proper audience with Lady Ash. If she granted him something sooner, then he would leave sooner. If not, he would need to wait; he had already invested so much time into this, he could not simply leave the court with unfinished business still lingering. Taelian had a reason for being here, one he could not shirk on. If there was anything he still valued about himself, it was his commitment to his duties.
"I'll probably not leave for at least a fortnight, and I expect I'll be gone for a few days. I-- need to somehow get to the lowest Mantle of Bel, Adena. It'll be... a journey. A dangerous one. To be honest, Arkash... I'm not entirely sure I'll come back from it, but you and I have both survived a great number of terrible things since we've met, and somehow we've always found one another afterward. Maybe fate will pull me back to you. I hope that it will."
He glanced towards the foyer, and nodded.
"I have most of those things present in the house. I'll let Harald know to allow you to come inside whenever you wish, and you can use the bedroom or facilities as you desire, to ensure you're comfortable and well-kept while you're in Amoren. Alright?" He noticed Arkash's sudden switch to his old tone, and... manner of speaking. The other was sort of like a mask that simply fell off; the more flustered he got, the harder it was for him to keep the inner 'Lower Nivenhain' inside. Taelian chuckled faintly, amused by it.
The other wrapped his arms around him, demanding answers, and Taelian let him close. He held him tightly, kissing him on the temple.
"I'll let you know everything... soon. When I'm a Draedan again. It'll all just sound... stupid, and petty to you. It's just noble-politics-bullshit and it's something I take no pride in, but -- this is the life I lead, trying to affect change from within. I'll come back, and you'll know everything you'd like, after that. Hells, we can spend time together often until I go, but... I think I just need a rest for now, yeah? Didn't quite finish my sleep," he said, grinning awkwardly as he gestured towards the sofa. The man's brow then rose, as he pondered something.
"Why don't you come to bed with me? We can lay together. If you want to, first, there's a bath upstairs within my chamber, in a separate little room. You can get yourself sorted there and come lie down with me. That sound good to you?"
