( Ash, like Norton, gets Lamorak at his slightly more polite - Ash isn't who's done him a favor directly the way Norton has (though, can one really say Norton's favor is without cost?), but if he's going to offer respect to Norton, it feels only right to offer respect to Ash in turn, as well. Perhaps without Ash, there would be no Norton, either. )

So rarely is the truth convincing; I'll try to make a good show of it.

( He would know! People doubt the sincere things he says all the time. One must wonder why. Whether he's actually being sincere here is, as always, ambiguous.

He breaches the threshold once invited, his steps silent and swift as he comes up beside his desk, casting his gaze across it - and those books - before returning it to Ash. He's not particularly business-minded; he was prompted here by the books, yes, but he sees no reason to demand them if they're in use, nor pass up chance for conversation. )

Have we all left you so lonely that you've had to resort to books for company?

( Rather unengaging company, clearly, at that. )