Brand doesn't answer for a few moments, just watches the man as he strides from the door to the bed while the boys talk over each other to answer his question. As he passes the unseen Brand and South, he trails a faint scent of the day's cologne, something sweet and earthy with hints of sea salt and musk. 'Ambergris' the memory echoes, in case South doesn't know, as if Brand could forget.

Brand's face shuts down, expression going completely blank, though he doesn't take his eyes off of the man as he tucks the two boys under the covers without even suggesting Brand go back to his room.

"Yes, all right, I see my mistake," he tells them as he presses their heads back onto the pillows. "Sleep. We can discuss this when we're all awake, not just you two." The two boys chorus their agreement, settling in together like puppies.

"I'm fine," Brand answers South tonelessly, like it's not a blatant fucking lie.