"Yes," he murmured, following her lead further in, letting her move, helping by staying out of the line of sight - he had made sure he wasn't followed or watched, but things didn't stay the same, especially not in a place that trained people into spies and secret operatives. By the time she turned her attention to him again, he had sat, on the edge of the bed this time.

And his eyes were just a little wide, just a little wild, possibly half-hidden by the moonlight's shadows.

He looked up as she spoke again, then his mouth actually curled up slightly. "You have done well. Most of them don't understand, even while they see your results. But no, you have done better than that, Natalia. You've learned to learn the essence of what is taught and use that as it's supposed to be used, rather than what is being shown to you. That is yours, and your alone. And I am proud." Soft, soft voice. Eyes not straying from her, from the way moonlight caressed her still-bare shoulders, the way he wanted his fingers to...

His attention snapped back with an effort. "Cairo was stifling. There was difficulty with..." With his left arm. Small headshake. "I completed the assignment, but it took slightly longer than it should have."