Despite Ronan's continued avoidance of his gaze, Rhy takes this as a good sign. He exhales, tension easing slightly, though his heart still races in his ears. He doesn't try to reach for Ronan again; it's all right, and they both need space. He's still worried about what's happening outside, but right now, Rhy understands he can't do anything about that. Frustrating as it is, he will have to wait for news.

In the meantime, what he can actually focus on is Ronan. They can talk about this.

He follows, slipping into the study. The silence here is all-encompassing. It makes the echo of his pulse feel even louder in his mind, all the thoughts feel harsher and heavier, the fears gripping his throat. Rhy takes a moment to just breathe and get used to the quiet, to figure out how he wants to say this.

"I'm not blaming you. I know you have good reasons to distrust the Free Cities and some of the Summoned there. To be clear, I'm not including the Summoned among the civilians. We've all made choices, however we could. Those who chose to go and attack others who've only been put in a similar situation without being asked, just as we were all brought here without being asked, are responsible for their decisions too."

He still doesn't really understand why Ronan took his denunciation of the queen's act so personally, and the only conclusion he can come to is that there's a fundamental misunderstanding somewhere. Surely Ronan wouldn't have been so upset and jump to the implication that Rhy thinks he's... eating babies or whatever, if he actually thought attacking innocent people unprovoked was a morally defensible choice.

Rhy sighs, fighting the urge to sink into the nearest chair. He stays on his feet for now, and though he doesn't approach, he pauses to appeal instead, softly.

"Ronan. Please, look at me. I don't think you're evil."