It's very strange to see him be a lot less defensive and suspicious than she's familiar with, but it's not unpleasant. She gives him a small smirk, feeling challenged to be interesting and wanting to return the favor of distracting him from his troubling thoughts.

"Well, I know you create very impressive illusions," she begins, because flattery is always a good start. But it's hardly something he keeps secret, and she thinks about the task more closely for a moment. Then her smile widens and she holds up her hand with the long brown feather he entrusted her with a while ago clasped between her fingers. "And you gave me this to prove your wings are tangible."