There was a frission of anxiety that he felt keenly, and it was not just in the answer of Caleb being pragmatic about the fact not all questions could be answered with a positive spin to it. His fingers softly met that touch, and he determined that Caleb was still one who had to be handled delicately.. and lovingly.

That was not something that Essek would forego at all within the getting-to-know process. "I think that for tonight, I would enjoy getting to know you-- your likes and dislikes, your favorite songs and your most beloved books.. those little things that build you up rather than take you down."

Those eyes meet Caleb's, warm despite the cool tones of them, and it was all in the subtle furrow of his brow as well as the subtle quirk of those lips that Caleb had kissed earlier. "Frumpkin, for example? How did you come across that name for a cat, Chathiu?"

And because he wanted to leave it open, he added on to that, "You may ask me anything you wish as well, I would like to share myself with you-- I am normally just as guarded but I trust you, even if you ask me something ridiculous."