Bearable, but not better -- it's as good a response as Carlisle can hope for, given the situation. Far worse is the thought of what will happen to Glacius should he vanish from the city -- or drop dead, as he'd mentioned earlier, whichever comes first. Would he truly soldier on? Or would he become an embittered thing far more like Algidus?

As usual, Carlisle would prefer not to know. What he does know is that if there is one thing he must do before death claims him, it's find a way to help Glacius home... even if it means they must part when returning to their own worlds. He's not sure if that's a task he can reasonably accomplish, but he must try, if given the opportunity.

But for now, he slides back in the conversation, putting a pin in that topic for later. "And I am more comfortable in yours, save for those moments when I nearly lose my grasp upon my abilities. It seems to fight me even during intimacy."