"You know, that's actually sort of difficult for someone who prefers not to be the one who's talking all the time," Mathias points out with a small smile, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. He knows that this is what he's supposed to do and that's the point, that's why he's here, after all, but that doesn't make it easy.

"Did you... hear about the vines?" he asks reluctantly. It's why he's here, after all.