He chuckled and poured himself another drink. "Not very." The times were different now, and he accepted that. She was teaching him even more of that. He wondered if she knew. "At least I know what to expect now. I didn't fully understand. Now I do."

"Yes and no. I was as you see me now, but mortals could not look upon me. I was as bright as the sun, always surrounded by my birds. I could tune it down, be a warrior. I used to be able to be an eagle. I've lost all that." He held out his arm, "but this. This I have regained." After a moment a snake of fire crawled down his arm before he extinguished it. "One of my weapons. So yes I was separated from them, but was not."