[ That smile is reassuring in its own way, but he can still see that sadness lingering in her gaze. Reaching out, he draws her into a hug, wrapping arms around her as he tucks her warmly against his chest. He listens while she explains, and he understands that sense of grief all too well. How many friends had vanished in his time here - both new and from Fodlan? Too many to count, he's pretty sure.

It has him giving her a warm squeeze in understanding. ]

I didn't know him, no, but I'm sorry. Missing them after they depart is probably one of the hardest parts of being here.

[ Now he's the one to cast her a crooked smile, looking a little sheepish, because he'd been very bad about reaching out to anyone in the weeks since that strange future they'd all lived through. ]

I know. I'd blame it on the war, but...

[ It might have been a little responsible for the upset, but he'd had a lot of things to work through, too. ]