I don't imagine it'll be long. I'm sure there's people here more desperate than I am.

[ But if anything he sounds worried about that. Hopefully no one's going to try to kill him in his sleep or some nonsense. ]

I thought as much. Some stories don't happen organically... they often need a push to really get started. [ He pauses, distancing himself from that line of thinking. It's not his job to narrate, but neither is it the Balladeer's to care. ] At least you asked. That was kind of you.

[ Stories like the ones the Balladeer is reading, perhaps? Hans leans forward, making a show of glancing at his book. ]

Catching up on your fairy tales?