He wasn't empathetic enough to catch that there might have been a sudden tension there, the nervous wrestling brought on by the memory of that time. However, fortunately, his answer was about as banal as the city of Trench was capable of being. "Mmmm? Oh, it was a standard trade with the Luminarium. I donated some of my own ichor in excess of what I requested and they gave me a sample for the Architects to use that are better suited." He grunted and shrugged. "I did not want to involve my companions with something that is specifically tied to myself, at least not until I knew it worked."

He'd chatted with Blue. He didn't want Blue to be affected if there were side-effects. "That is usually how one gets blood samples, yes? Other than that foolish game and the prize given out to a few residents by the Moss King anyway, and that was not warmblood or suited for this purpose."