"Sorry for the wait." I mutter to Aren. He offers me a weak smile at this but I know he just wants to get this all over with.
By the time I'd returned from Maylin's place underground he'd been waiting at the gates for over an hour. The security around this part of the first strata is tight. They won't let just anyone in.
Fortunately, I'd been considerate enough to get him a snack as compensation for the wait, although it was very tempting to stuff my face with it instead.
I let the guards at the gate know he's one of my guests and should be allowed in whenever he comes by, perhaps I Should have done this earlier but that's all hindsight.
By the time we're in the house Aren has eaten his grumpiness away, nomming down on what's left of the meat stick I brought him.
A quick summoning and Anselm is present and accounted for, so is his judgemental glare.
"I'm sorry okay? My talk with Maylin lasted a bit longer than expected."