[it’s not a particularly dramatic change! he’s still tired and worried and full of Thoughts and Stresses like he usually is. there is some kind of pain or injury he is studiously ignoring, but he doesn’t feel cagey so it’s likely something Minuet knew about it already—

but the morning is beautiful. they are all alive, sitting together, the ordinary bonding of eating a meal as a group. the food is good. the coffee is warm. he cares about the people in this room. he knows many of them care back. the emotion all this together calls up is quiet, but slow and soft and honey-golden as shaded lamplight.]