[John frowns at that. He knows how special her garden is to her, but he also knows that it can be rebuilt. Flowers and plants are resilient, and it is likely that not all is lost.

At her reminder of the reason for his summons, he flushes slightly. It feels a little silly, given the storm happening around them, but he has to tell her sometime, and he does not want to keep this to himself just because there are more serious matters happening outside their door.]

Ah. Yes, well.

[He turns, fussing with the nearby decanter for a moment, buying himself time to figure out how to broach the subject entirely.] I had wished to speak with you about… A particular someone. [He cuts his eyes back to her.] Relating to our last conversation on the subject.

[He winces internally. It isn’t his best start, he will allow that much.]