[The village prepares for the early evening with or without the two of them still lingering there. Lorenz watches a woman in the middle distance sweeping, a child trotting by with a dog, a man already heading for the local tavern... It's the furthest he's ever felt from the people of Gloucester territory, and he spent the entire day here.

It's frustrating. In his less generous moments he might admit it rankles, a little bit, to not be met at least halfway—but Olivine is right, he realizes quickly. Knowing that the sweeping woman's name is Elisabet and she has two sons traveling abroad and she heard shrieks in the forest two nights in a row doesn't change anything about her daily life. It's the same for all of these people; Lorenz listening to their grievances has not elevated their lives, or earned more of their trust.

Not yet, in any case.]

I see.

[He takes a deep breath and lets it out on a sigh, giving Olivine a little smile that's part grateful and part tired.]

Wise as always. You're right, of course; I would be lost without you to ground me. [He sighs again but it's somehow more upbeat, as if he's deciding right now to shoo his frustrations out of the way. He looks towards the road leading out of the village.] I will endeavor to... put myself in their shoes. I expect I will do so clumsily, so please, do let me know.

[hah. he's trying.]

Now then, do we make our way home...? Dusk seems just seconds away.