[ She doesn't know how to accept that kind of sentiment. That she might be important enough for someone to actually take time from their own day to care that she's not fine. Without anything to gain. No one outside of maybe her mother had ever done that, and even then, it stopped once she was old enough to deal with her own issues.

Flagg cared. Flagg found her when she was alone, he cared.

She doesn't say anything until he changes the subject. She honestly just has no clue how to respond, feels like it has to be a trap or a trick, even though she knows that's not Sam. She knows he wouldn't and yet it still feels like he is. So instead, she refills her glass, takes a more patient sip this time. ]

It didn't just start. Nadine... Nadine got it in her head that I would able to do the kind of magic they do in Nott. I guess other places look down on it, they think it's unstable or like, undisciplined. Anyway, she convinced me to try, but I guess it's kinda like a dam or somethin'. Once it breaks, you can't just close it back up.