The scuttling had him turning slowly on his heel to let his eyes sweep over the dark shop. "Am I mistaken, then? Is it they who cower?" for they seemed to be reacting directly to her, and he wondered then if it was only her they would respond to or if another voice, one with authority that demanded respect, would do the trick.
He turned again to face her, stepped forward until he could place his hands on the counter as he leaned toward the flame.
"We were very lucky," he admitted cooly, watching her play with the flame. "We told the truth, it is that simple. We were cursed. Are cursed."
Astrophel's eyes seemed to fluctuate. From being as dark as ink to as blue as water, then back again. He twitched, scrunched his nose and tilted his head.