Before Ver can reply to the thanks--before he can demure, really; it's only his duty after all to see everyone in and safe and sheltered from the cold--he's interrupted by Alvi's dramatic escape. That it's wreaked total disorder on the vicar's office would probably have escaped the young priest's notice if a feather hadn't ended up in his open mouth. He sputters and paws it from his face with a laugh and a half-despairing "oh, no".

"That's done it for having everything tidy when the vicar returns," he pronounces, without even the least bit of recrimination. "But all's forgiven; I'm as glad neither of you've frozen solid. And if it would be any consolation to him, I've got some wormy acorns with his name on them back in the stores. What do you say?"

That last's addressed to the ceiling, even if it's with no reason to believe he'd be understood by magpie; being good with animals is all in the tone, and...well, approaching them at the right time, which now isn't. Still, having made mention of the treat he'll definitely go get it once all's said and done; not any other use for spoiled nuts but to give them to the birds anyhow.

But that's for later. Recollecting that he's been thanked, Vervain returns his attention to the human occupants of the room with a pleasant smile for the direction he's facing. Maybe sort of Dainward. "Of course, shepherd! Can't leave anyone out to freeze in the cold. Nothing's the matter with your wagon, is it, Tuo?"