[Banodin Lionheart]

Banodin's hand tightened unnoticeably around the ring of his teacup at the slight jab to his family, however, upon sipping down another bit of the warm liquid, he placed the cup within the saucer and smiled at Michael, "Perhaps another time then... I... Well, I can draw you a family tree. That would be... Ah... Very fun and informative. I think." Banodin remained quiet for the rest of the ensuing conversation from Michael, and nodded politely to Ralitha, 'hming' to himself with another nod here and there as she spoke of Medonia and her business.

The Church... Placing the cup to his lips, he tilted the practically empty thing at a high angle, blocking his furrowed brow in thought. So deep in thought was he, that he did manage to forget there was liquid still inside it, and inhaled a decent enough portion 'down the wrong tube'. Coughing lightly, he covered his mouth with a spare hand and shook his head, muttering a quiet 'excuse me' under a raspy breath, placing the cup back on it's saucer and looking flustered, and flushed. To allow a moment's respite, he took the teapot and poured it's contents into his glass and looked up at Ralitha as he slid the pot back into it's place. "Well, ma'am, there is problems with work, always, yes?" Grasping the cup, he nursed it into his chest and leaned away from the table and Ralitha slightly before continuing. "It does no good to ah... Well, dwell on such... Just... Simply a... How would my Father phrase it... Ah, yes. A Bridge to be Crossed upon arrival, never before." The boy smiled and took a sip of his drink, he was failing miserably as a conversationalist he thought, however he did take pride in the fact she often answered his questions, however shortly.

"That is... Well... Unless you are at that Bridge now..." Furrowing his brow, he quickly spoke up again before Michael would be able to intervene with another tirade on wine or some other thing. "If you are a Cleric, then ah... Then you have the People. You know... Friends. Family... Commoners and Nobles alike. You are in an esteemed position, I would think... Yes. You are never alone. You know?" Looking at the table, his brow furrowed again, his finger held up as if to continue a point he was struggling getting off of his tongue before finally speaking. "Even when... Everything seems... Lost. Well. Friends will be there. True friends, ones not worried about... Monotary gains... And, the Gods, and Goddesses, may not answer, but are..." Circling his left hand for emphasis, he smiled and clasped both across his chest, leaning into his chair. "Well, they will always be there..."

That little bit might have sounded a little to close to Church talk then Banodin would have preferred, however, Father Walt might have approved of such, it did seem, without the pauses, that it would be something that he would say... Sipping from his cup once more, he placed it back on the table, and refolded his arms, looking Ralitha squarely in the eyes with his warm eyes and smile before letting out a light sigh and looking over at Michael, around the tavern, and then back to the elven young lady. "I know, you may not consider us friends... But it seems that you are well, uncomfortable here..." Swallowing a light lump in his throat, he looked over at Michael once more before frowning, "Were you... Well... Waiting for someone? If not... Well..." Flustered at his lack of being able to ask properly, he simply took a sip of his cup and shook his head, quieting down for the next speech on proper wine tasting.