[ He eats his cake, which is... fine, pretending to enjoy it. At least she's feeling bold enough to (aggressively?) take on some food, and the drinks are warm; he sips at a curiously scarlet one as he lifts up a brow at her. ]

I've never heard of them.

[ But it's probably an analogous tale. Every nation has one: a story of a knight or noble or kill felled by a threat so small and sly that it's almost cowardly.

It's the small and sly things that can slip through the joins of armor plates. It's what leaves people afraid, casting glances over their shoulder. ]

And it's good to be on one's guard. I agree, mostly. [ he's not as victim blamey about it but he gets the spirit ] But it is incredibly taxing to feel unsafe at all hours. That can lead to problems as well.

[ Jumping at shadows is a waste of energy. It's all about balance. Which he is being a massive hypocrite about, but so as he says, not as he does. ]