"Yes. It is pleasing. I cannot claim there are none of my kind who view themselves as above mortals. They like to tell themselves they wouldn't have been hunted the way their predecessors were, but they dare not break the Accords, so all they can do is prattle on." Erik had to listen to a lot of talk just like that from his ex and his sister. It wore thin quickly even from them.

"I take no offense. You do not have to tell me about the weight of scars. I know it well."

He pauses to consider the question. What smells did he like best? "Hm. Well, I suppose the house always smelled best when he baked sweets and breads. Pungent scents like garlic and onion could be overwhelming at times if he did not open the windows, but the sweet scents were always divine. Oh, but I never would touch. I worried I'd spoil it somehow."