[Fandaniel winks and the hand curled against his cheek rises, index finger pointing at the sky.]

Ah. You are mistaken.

I cut not as some unfathomable monster but as a surgeon. With precision and purpose.

You are in good hands.

[A beat, then.]

And yes, you told me you were twenty. Hardly old, if you ask me. You were trying, and failing, to contain a spirit fox of some sort. If none of that was true, then I hope you share the real story with me...

After I've removed that pesky Gnosia corruption, of course!