Smirking a bit and feeling her wiggling enticing him to think about taking another round with her, Valen caressed along Sharille's sides but without going further with it. There was time for play, and time for just cuddling. He had a feel she needed the second as well as the first sometimes, and he wasn't about to try and turn it to a second scene in a row just to deny her the chance to cuddle. Pecking her cheek tenderly, he listened to her when she spoke again. Wondering silently for a moment after her thank you.<br/><br/>The question left him a bit stunned though. He had not thought it impossible she might thank him, though he would not have thought it as bad manners if she didn't. It was nice to be appreciated but at the same time she seemed a capable woman and he didn't see her as someone that was likely to dwell on things that much.<br/><br/>Yet right then and there the warm spot on his chest made him feel that the strong, powerful woman was also vulnerable. Caressing her hair and then thinking it over a second, he let out a breath as he answered. Or at least he tried. He wasn't sure she was going to be satisfied, but in all honesty, it was all he could tell her. He didn't know any better himself either.<br/><br/>"Why I joined? I am an apprentice wizard, a conjurer if you will, and I am still travelling to learn more about myself and magic. I have a lot to learn, and I follow the God Nethys. I believe that magic exists both to create, and destroy. Likewise, I believe that this world needs sometimes someone to create something, and destroy another thing. To keep the world changing. There's a stability brought by order, but also a bit of chaos to avoid stagnation. I think, for that purpose, someone like the Pathfinders is necessary. Not to outright push for order, but not trying to bring anarchy to places either. Simply trying to guide things towards good, because what really matters is that the people try to make things better."<br/><br/>He kissed the top of her head and let out a sigh. "Partially its selfishness. I don't care too much for fame as such, but I don't mind having a reputation for power, in time. I want to gather strength, master more of my craft in magic, and to overcome the limitations set by my choice of specialty." He smiled a bit darkly. "I decided to forgo the schools of enchantment and necromancy, in favor of conjuration. That says something about me. I believe in creation, but also calling forth things of destruction, to pave the way for the world to change for the better. I disdain the use of the powers of the dead, but I am willing to overcome that because necromancy also deals with the power of life, in its twisted way. I believe in honesty and fair deals, and that shows in my lack of mind games that enchantment holds, in my opinion. Yet at the same time, I am willing to overcome that, because sometimes a person needs to mature and get over such fears. I want to improve myself, but remain true to myself. I believe the pathfinders are what is able to keep me from falling to the same pitfalls that many other mages can find themselves trapped in."<br/><br/>He drew a breath. "I believe Pathfinders can both guide me, and yet be trusted not to try and manipulate me. To let me choose if I believe a matter needs attention, and if it needs intervention."