Different. Basren knew he was, that he operated somewhat outside of the social standings and circles that everyone else enjoyed. It didn't mean he liked it. Not the way Alaras did, anyway, judging by how flippant he was about everything, like it didn't matter. But it hadn't been said to be mean. Perhaps it had been said even to be kind.<br/><br/>Then, a reason. So Alaras had once been like all the rest, had a match, but, for whatever reason, it hadn't worked. The weight of history was in the words, but Alaras breezed by them, either unconcerned or unwilling to go into them.<br/><br/>So Basren just said, "Oh. I'm sorry."<br/><br/>He considered Alaras again. Not someone ignorant, perhaps, just someone tired. Basren thought about if someone finally made him an offer, and then it was snatched away... Of course he might be bitter--or even unwilling--to make another foray out. It would all turn into a matter of formality, but the edge of desperation would wear under that slope of disappointment.<br/><br/>He couldn't decide if it was the wrong thing to do, then, to mention Sovele, but he had done. At least Alaras' nonchalance about it all meant it wouldn't be<i>too</i>disappointing? The king was a high reach for anyone, anyway. This was something Alaras already knew, though, judging from his own bloodline comment. Basren felt a little better about it.<br/><br/><i>Maybe you could make my interest known.. subtly.</i><br/><br/>"I can. I can frame it as... a recommendation. My impression. He wants to know what you're like already." He gave Alaras an encouraging smile. "I'll tell him what I think of you. Good things."<br/><br/>He chanced moving a little closer to Alaras, even offering his arm with a very, very slight extension of his elbow. So far, Alaras had seemed wary of being too close to him. If he was going to be chosen by Sovele, though, they might see more of each other.<br/><br/>It would be nice, he thought suddenly, to have someone in the household who he could talk with, who didn't care about his status, and wasn't so jealous over Sovele. Who maybe he could even talk to<i>about </i>Sovele. They could warn of moods, trade secrets... A<i>friend.</i><br/><br/>When Alaras hesitantly took his arm, Basren gave him the first full smile since they'd met.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>The queen had withdrawn from Sovele's company an hour ago, but Basren still waited until he'd been summoned to make his way to Sovele's private rooms. His day with Alaras had puffed up warm daydreams in him, of days that weren't quite so cold and lonely, until he could find his way into his own duties extending someone's line, if anyone ever wanted him. But they would be days he could look back on happily, and he allowed them the cautious hope of actually being feasible.<br/><br/>Sovele's valet dismissed himself as soon as Basren closed the door soundlessly behind himself. Sovele was dressed down for the night, but he still loomed at his stack of reports. The bed was barely rumpled. The queen had likely made an attempt, but it didn't look successful. Basren padded in and started to straighten up papers, letting Sovele catch sight of him.<br/><br/>"We spent the whole afternoon together," Basren said. He tidied another stack, then circled around to Sovele's back. His hands rested lightly on Sovele's shoulders until he knew the touch was allowed, then he started kneading.<br/><br/>"He's not at all what I thought he would be, Alaras. Alarastian. The Langlais boy. I--I think you would like him. He's very easy-going, for the most part. A little particular in some ways. But he's grown up--very fine. He did have a small spell when we first met, but he seemed hale enough the rest of the time. I really do think you'd like him, Sovele. He would do credit to your line."