Cover up the poison with poetry

He could tell she was confused by his sudden shift in topic and frankly, Azure was confused too. He'd not thought hard enough on the rushed decision, was finding himself regretting even breaching the topic, and could not realistically just tell her to forget about it now. Hanako took his cue and lay down beside him upon her furs, and Azure shifted so he could lay his broad head upon her shoulders gently. The gesture had a dual purpose - to comfort him when his emotions got out of hand, while also keeping himself from studying her face in case there was something in her eyes he'd rather not see directed towards him.

"Your keepers, they were to sell you." Az stated it as both a question as a comment, something they both were aware of but hadn't yet discussed. "I-" Why was it so hard? Any wolf would be pleased to hear they were free from their captors, Az should be thrilled to pass that information on to his friend. Hanako however was not any wolf, and he had the feeling that the knowledge would not be well recieved.

He stumbled over the words, hating himself as eventually his thoughts turned to lies. "Your price, I've paid it. Or, will. It's not your concern, the deal is done." It was.. not as much a lie as it could be, Azure did intend to pay her price in blood. It was a decision he'd made the day he decided she was to be his and took her into his home. The fact that the Keepers were not yet aware of the future exchange was irrelevant, as long as Hanako understood that her freedom had been bought.