He chuckled lowly, his head bobbing in a small nod, thinking of the nights he'd been tempted to just pitch the lot into the fire -- particularly those out of Orlais, where it seemed they had parchment to spare for the rolls and rolls they went on.

Then he sobered, the curl of his lips slipping away as she went on.

"None of it makes sense. I've talked to others, outside our circle--" ours, yes, that felt appropriate, "--they've been here for so long. I don't know how it's possible." He paused, lips parted on a thought he couldn't quite put into words, then shook his head. Hands turned up in a helpless sort of gesture. "All I know for certain is that I'm here now."