Alric raised a hand in a soothing gesture and shook his head lightly with a smile, although a somewhat rueful one.

"...nn. It's quite all right. I... handled our first meeting poorly, and caused you not a little distress. ......and this one scarcely better. I felt I owed you some... gesture, at least, to atone for that. I hope this will suffice, in that respect, and as a token--a reminder--of good will between us."