Rren was about to explain that it wasn't a matter of not being allowed. It was a lot more complicated than that. But then Ian asked their question and they paled, freezing up entirely.

"If um, if the answer isn't obvious. Yes... and it uh, we'd rather not go more into it." Æn'kae said softly trying to redirect the conversation. He gently put a hand on Rren's arm, broadcasting calm to try and break into the panic response.

"Why do you want to know?" Rren asked then, voice tight as they pushed Æn'kae away. They were grateful to have been broken out of panic enough to function but they didn't want any further influence. And besides, they wanted him to be able to put some focus on the doctor. They very much needed to know what had made that question so pressing, and they needed to know if the answer was honest.