Worth more than you were given

It had been a close fight, a brawl with someone Erik had known since they were just little. He didn't mind it the most, but his ego was well and truly bruised. A small laceration on his shoulder from a fall into the ice still stung-- he's used to it. The stinging doesn't bother him much, and he's got bigger things to focus on, now that he's back in his den. Sparsely decorated, though a few marks of his upbringing in Tojo filled the space. Smells of tea from his mother's garden mixed with the heat from the fire cheerfully crackling in the brazier. Bamboo scapes trying desperately to hold on through the winter sat beside them, though Erik was unsure how they'd fare through the coldest months. Otherwise, the space is relatively bare-- a hidey hole full of snacks and a nest of furs and blankets on the floor. Hell, he'd only just moved in, himself.

It's not until Ember comes pushing into the space that he realizes just how spartan it is. A princess in a den like this? Rarely does Erik give a damn what anyone thinks of him, but this... is different, okay? He knows it's not what she's used to. Until now, he'd been tinkering at some armor. Figuring that maybe, if he's going to be raiding for the pack, he should be properly protected. It's messy work, pine tar coating his claws. Reinforcing and boiling leather, it's work. Real work, but he's learning as he goes.

Right, Ember. Fuck. "Shit, commere," he grumbles, wrapping an arm around her and getting the girl out of the cold. Tugging the heavy hide closed behind her and blocking out as much of the cold as he can, drawing her deeper into the den. The soft clink of glass on glass leaves his ears flickering in the painted firelight, as he ushers her away from the chill. "'re you warm enough?" Adding another log to the fire, then leaning to blow on the coals. Encouraging it higher, brighter, filling the small space with light and heat.

Manners, right, manners. Sedna would kick his ass for it. "Tea?" Already moving to put water on, rummaging in barely unpacked tins. Black tea, green tea, cannabis-- with his throat, he drinks a lot of tea, okay? He'd learned how to soothe his own aches and pains, watching Ma and Fuji treat his quiet complaints for so long. Self sufficient, enough, not wanting to bother Hemlock's healers with his problems. Erik drags snacks out as well, something about hospitality being a core tenant of his father's beliefs. As for the bastard prince? He believes in doing what he can for his friends. For his... favorite pretty girl he liked kissing? More than that, but shhh. Those are thoughts for later.

"Erik"