Foulques retained enough awareness to notice Chara climbing up on the desk/bed next to him, but didn't immediately look up. At the sound of their voice though, and even more so the words they said, he glanced up to see them reading from a book. He gave a somewhat brittle-sounding chuckle at the sheer absurdity of it. "Yes, I imagine they do," he said, his voice a bit thick. "Either when used directly, or as artisans."

He carefully returned the lute to its case and wiped his eyes, taking a deep, somewhat shaky breath. "I see I'm not the only one who received an unexpected gift," he said. Than added, "I didn't mean to worry you. I simply... never thought I would see this instrument again."