Xevon tilted his head for a moment watching her expression. Books... was something but it was the way her expression shifted when she spoke about music. That was the tidbit that he picked up on almost immediately. The way she seemed so passionate about music. Dancing, singing and then she trailed off only to come back saying something about being shy.

"Well, there's always learning to play an instrument," Xevon mused slowly. "Flutes, lyres, various strings and the sorts," he waved his hand, though it didn't lift from off of his chest too far. "Dancing is nice, I wonder if we'll learn new dances with the empire."

Xevon waved one hand idly, his hazel eyes focused out the window of the carriage. He had heard the rumors as well, the intricate dances of the northern kingdoms, empires and territories. But he hadn't ever been up through the northern areas to really figure that out.

"I mean, I hope so. It'd be just a little disappointing if they're not as fun as we hoped, y'know?" Xevon finally said, turning his gaze toward the princess. She seemed excited, even talking with her hands as she spoke about the dances. "I think maybe we could look at getting an instrument of some sort, just to piss your father off even more."

Xevon gave her a sharper grin, far more mischievous and perhaps a little... dangerous in nature as she mentioned crossing her father. "Well, y'know, sometimes you have to get a little dirty, have a little fun. You can't live and get the people to love you if you don't love what they love."

Though, she posed the question back to him and he glanced out the window. He really wasn't sure, if he was honest. It was always easy to brush it off, say something basic or whatnot. But now? "Haven't decided yet," he finally mused. "Figured I'd see what all is out here in the northern territories and see if anything grabs my attention, y'know? Why limit my options now?"

Xevon lifted one hand in a small shrug. "I know my mother used to sew and gather fruit from the garden. People loved her," he said softly, rubbing his forehead. "But we all know how it goes. Not everyone lives to see the next day..."

He trailed off for a moment or two. "Riding horses, sewing dresses and clothing, even just learning to make pottery and clay," Xevon glanced over toward her again. "I won't tell you no, you want to try something? I say go for it. The most you can do is gather skills.... that'll help you throughout your life."

Xevon's jaw opened and closed for a few moments, as if trying to figure out a reply to what she had said. Something witty? No, that didn't feel right. Something sincere? No, not right either. The world needs someone like you. No, no, it didn't. It didn't need someone like him. It needed someone that was who he pretended to be. Someone sincere, someone who didn't have to sift through the masks that they wore to hide their featureless face.

The words rang in his head like a church bell, forlorn, eerie and solemn. Someone like him. No. It didn't.

"Don't push yourself too hard," Xevon ignored the previous words, rather pointedly and focused on what she had said last. "The more you push yourself, the faster you burn out. Then you feel like you've failed and it all starts the cycle over again. Little by little, that's how you get out of your comfort zone."