"It seems harder now," Esme replies. "I don't know what all rules are binding him. But...as he is also Fae now..." He hesitates for a moment before continuing, trying to pick his words. He wants to protect Max, but saying the wrong things could do the opposite. "I don't envy being someone who cares as much as he does being twisted by parts of beings that can't understand how to feel or actually do it."

"That's not to say I blame you for feeling that he wasn't being open. I don't, but I wish there was something..." An idea comes to him and he perks up. "The person who can tell you the most about Max as he is now, is Max. But this is Autumn, which both means he's very safe because he has to be upfront about any harm he could be planning and that he has to be honest. Ask him things. Even if he doesn't want to talk about them because he's still hurting, he can't purposely mislead you about anything for the season. And maybe that will make things better for all three of you. More comfortable."