[Despite his own focus on the topic at hand, Gale does stop to let his gaze linger on Oren's red pepper flake masterpiece for a few moments.

Clearly, this man is built remarkably different.

Gale exhales, giving the other man a rueful look.]

I hadn't quite gone to that extreme, but the reassurance is nice all the same.

[Amelia doesn't hate him, but whatever was between them was complicated, as was her history— as was his own. He imagines there are a great number of conflicting feelings involved, confusion not the least of them.]

I know that she believes things need to be a certain way. She's determined to do everything on her own. Quite stubborn, as well, though I'm sure I don't need to tell you.