Alden seemed  completely out of it, and only barely took note of Abir offering out a hand when he spoke. His eerie green eyes slowly  glanced over to look at the hand, before looking up at Abir's hopeful expression.<br/><br/>The collector looked between Abir and his hand a few times before eventually putting on something of a gentle yet still charismatic smirk. His black-gloved hand reached out to take Abir's in his grasp, squeezing it ever so slightly as if pondering something.<br/><br/>"Perhaps...on one condition," he murmured, looking from their hands back to Abir's face. In a smooth motion, the white cloak jingled as his other arm came to wrap around Abir's waist, moving forward to gently dip Abir backward as Alden's face hovered over his.<br/><br/>"...I lead. Deal?" he asked softly, maintaining faint smirk on his pale white face.