The suggestion of either of them slacking and allowing someone else to take care of their responsibilities is so laughable, it actually draws a chuckle out of Aleron. He shakes his head, still chuckling as he thinks it over once more. Funniest thing he's heard in months. Years even. "Don't tempt me, Malcolm," he replies in full-knowledge it would never happen.

No, his own temptations got laid out bare for any passerby to see in the Fade and he's embarrassed to the center of his soul for it. He didn't succumb, clearly, but just the idea that he's not above temptation bothers him far more than he cares to admit. In fact, he's quite certain he'll never be able to look Cassandra in the face ever again.

The chuckles die down and fade away on that far more sober reflection. There is a lapse of silence where he considers his next words carefully. "Have you ever thought what our lives would be like had we not joined the Seekers?"

Yes, that's it. An easy way to ease into the topic without revealing too much.