[He doesn't answer in any way she can discern. He does, however, add a second tendril down by her feet, to give her a boost up onto the altar if she chooses it.
The priests and priestesses showed him this part. At least, some of it. They certainly did not show him the whole thing, and he wasn't permitted to touch anyone but his bride. They'd filled in the blanks with books and pictures and an explanation for how to complete the ritual.
Once Elise is on the altar, he seems to get a little bolder with the touches, though still "shy" if one wants to ascribe an emotion to a faceless shadow beast. Tendrils caress her shoulders and one smooths her hair. Others slide along her body, feeling it beneath the silk robe, and finding the edge of the robe to pull at it, testing how to get it apart.]
no subject
The priests and priestesses showed him this part. At least, some of it. They certainly did not show him the whole thing, and he wasn't permitted to touch anyone but his bride. They'd filled in the blanks with books and pictures and an explanation for how to complete the ritual.
Once Elise is on the altar, he seems to get a little bolder with the touches, though still "shy" if one wants to ascribe an emotion to a faceless shadow beast. Tendrils caress her shoulders and one smooths her hair. Others slide along her body, feeling it beneath the silk robe, and finding the edge of the robe to pull at it, testing how to get it apart.]