The wave of Steve's hand is met with a flinch and Viatorus half turns away, eyes flickering to Steve's feet. As Steve speaks Viatorus' gaze slides back to the papers around him.

"No. No," he whispers. "I've got to... to... to... My work. I... I need... my work. To do it. Work. My work." His brow furrows and his fingers tremble across pages. "The veils can't break, need to bend, need to twist, twist, twist is better. Blink, but not. No break. A sigh. C-Can't..." He whines and it looks to take effort for him to cough out the word. "C-C-Can't have a wound..."

After watching him ramble Runa tries to hide her sad expression behind an encouraging smile which she turns to Steve. Then she moves to grab the back of a wrapped up chair, but the moment she tries to lift it the entire room trembles. Every piece of furniture shudders while a tense Viatorus watches her with a sidelong glance, his eyes wide and wild, terrified. Only when she lets go again do his hands uncurl and the room falls silent again.

"I only wanted to get you a seat," Runa murmurs to Steve as she steps back beside him.

Crisis averted, Viatorus sags with relief, runs a hand through his hair, and starts his muttering again.