Emrys supposed he had not really been optimistic about getting a straight answer, but was a little annoyed about exactly how loud and how long Trystan spent laughing at him, all the same. When he finally got around to speaking, it wasn't an answer to Emrys' question at all, and what he did say was fairly confusing. Why would Ambrosia have sent anyone (let alone him) to try and determine Trystan's thoughts on marriage? Shouldn't she already have a fairly good idea of the subject, having been married to him for... fifteen years? (Emrys had no idea how long they had been married, exactly; he thought vaguely that it had probably happened less than twenty years ago but knew they had children at Hogwarts, so; fifteen was as good a guess as any).

"Why would Ambrosia care how you feel about marriage?" he asked, brows furrowed. "It's not as though she could just opt out if you said something she didn't like. Not at this point, anyway. No, I'm asking seriously," he pressed. This statement sounded ridiculous even to his ears, however, and he doubted Trystan would take him at his word. Before his brother could laugh again, Emrys fished a flask out of his interior jacket pocket, screwing off the lid and glancing around to see if Trystan had glasses anywhere. He didn't see any, which was unfortunate. Emrys kept glassware in his office at the trading company — but then, his job didn't exactly depend on quick reflexes, so it was hardly a problem if he drank while at work. He could see why that sort of thing might be frowned upon in the auror department.

"It's occurred to me that I might have to marry someone, someday," he said, taking a shot off the top of the flask to steel himself for this conversation. "And I don't want to end up —" he gestured vaguely at Trystan "— if I can avoid it."