A wince and a small exhale of breath, and Dorian turned to face Altaïr, olive eyes seeking his in the darkness of that cowl, frowning slightly.

"I meant no offense, you silly man. Only...such things are..." He looked away, then, downward slightly, as though seeking words to explain that continued to escape him. "...frowned upon in my homeland. They're never spoken of, and Maker forbid they occur in public. I..." He breathed a steadying breath and looked back up. "Am unaccustomed to public display."