[ It's not an immediate reaction. Fenris listens to the story quietly, attentively, his eyes widening slowly as Hawke goes on. As the details grow increasingly specific, and increasingly ridiculous.

When she gets to the part about eating the chocolate herself, he can't help but smile. By the time she finishes, he's choking back a chuckle. It feels so strangely familiar, so curiously warm. But he doesn't get a chance to laugh very often, so he decides not to question it. He just lives in the moment, leaning back against the bush, his shoulders quaking with silent laughter. ]

That--that is quite the tale. I'm glad you survived to tell it.

[ He shakes his head, his smile lingering as he looks back to the bottle. ]

As for me ... I don't know that I'll ever regain what I've lost. I can't hope for it. That's too much wasted time. But, perhaps ...

[ And then--light, movement. Someone's finally gotten up to pad to the bathroom. ]

--ah.