A deep dark chuckle emanates from the giant. "Ha. See there we go, that's more like it." Accepting the half of bread in exchange for the bourbon. The terrible teeth tear it apart with no resistance. "Hm. There's power in those rules and traditions, why its important to understand them as best we can." It was formalised magic like contracts and blessings or bound up in the same way an oath or a vow would be but there was still something to it. As for the fruit the giant shackles his head, oh he wants it but it wouldn't be proper. "Ah. A king has duties and expectations, the crown itself has a price in that way." Nothing was free. "Hm. I'm just doing what is needed of me." Courtiers and kings both serve the other just in different ways.

The cruel smile returns at the double speak and avoidance. "Oh. Every lost makes there own missteps no doubt, we're all uniquely mad after all." Arcadia ravaged the mind in ways that even those of the same seeming and kith would have differing experiences to a degree. "Hm. Just don't get caught doing anything that I'll have to clean up, or worse someone else will have to." Because well if you were never caught then hey go for it.

Leaning back against the metal struts of the bridge he accepts the bourbon back to take another swig. "Oh. I do think highly of queen Circe, she had my vote for leader of the freehold when we had to choose a new one." Let that be testament to just how highly thought of the summer fairest. "Ha. I speak fear, I cause fear, I face fear. Fear is ever present lurking beneath the surface, its the reason for the old tales and rhymes, its why humanity lit up the night, and failing to respect it is what causes people to stumble and even die." The last word drawn out a little letting air pass through the haw that surely had claimed life before. "Oh. But it makes people uncomfortable the try to ignore it, bury it refuse to face it and that weakens them." He was in short a student of fear. "Uh. No just me and now you, the last king left nearly a year past and I've just been going on about my business moving this and that into place since." Schemes and machinations naturally, the ogre had far more to him them the brutish and horrifying appearance.

But time was indeed against if all that needed to be settled would be. The ogre extends a over long arm and shakes the fairest hand in on of his own large grey first, not trying to crush but the sense of restrained power is very clear in the grip. "Uh. Solstice will soon be upon us so be on your way till then." Leaning down the scent of rotting meat pungent on his breath even under the alcohol. "Hm. I look forward to working with you." It would be good to have another ashen courtier around.