[ There's a beat before he moves in her direction, because he does have to leave at some point. It would look pitiful to avoid answering, so he gives her a curt reply. ]

A ring.

[ Something like that. He stops once he’s at Kisa’s side to give her a sideways glance. ]

Does this interest you?

[ He hums shortly. ]

Come, then. Follow me and I'll show you how it is done.

[ It's fine, because Kisa hasn't done anything to earn his ire. Renne can go, though.

He takes her to his assigned house in Ruga, where his armored horse greets them with a perfunctory snort outside. They don't go inside (Renne might be there). Berkut has all that he needs to get started—the bottle of white vinegar, a bucket of water, and some cloth—so he sits them down by the steps and, with some hesitation, procures an engraved ring that's too small to actually be his. ]

This is all we will need. You may watch and learn from there.

That varies. I do it once a month. It would be more frequent if the ring were to be worn every day.

[ But, as Kisa has observed, he doesn't wear any. He just carries the one around. ]

It was my mother's.

[ He turns the dry ring around in his hand, checking for any spots he might have missed. Inwardly, he agrees—this ring had sat beautifully around his mother's finger. He pockets it, then rises to a stand. ]

No member of nobility should settle for anything less.

Do you have questions?

[ About the process. Don't ask about his mother. ]

[ With the minuscule cant of his head, he looks at Kisa. He wasn't expecting to be asked that—wasn't watching enough?—but it's not a bad question. ]

If you come into possession of one while I am still here, you may call for me.

[ This small girl needs to reevaluate her opinions.

He looks away, scanning their surroundings now that he's no longer preoccupied by the ring. ]

Save your thanks for when it's time.

[ Once he's swept his gaze across the residential area, he eyes Kisa again. ]

I have nothing more to show you. Unless you have unfinished business with me, you may go.