[Alear wasn't sure what she was expecting. Getting chewed out for her assumption of their relationship, maybe. A vague sense of understanding; both of those would have been in the realm of possibility, and at first, Alear seems content that he seems to actually understand what she was getting at, and maybe she did have the right of it.

but for what little it's worth, I am sorry about your mom.

Alear isn't sure what her face is doing, or her body--everything in her goes...tense, for a brief moment, before it releases and. Oh.

Not even Alear realized that she really needed to hear that. Even from him.]

...It's worth more than you think. [Alear looks away for a moment, don't you dare comment about the misty eyes buddy--] It means a lot to hear that, even if there's nothing that can be done to bring her back. And I wouldn't have expected it. It's...kind of you. I feel like I understand you a bit better, now, too.

[...]

Thank you, Griss. There's really nothing to be done now but to try and move forward, but...it's appreciated. You didn't have to.

[don't cry don't cry don't you dare cry alear--

She starts to move to get up after that, though, offering a hand for Griss if he needs it. Tonight's definitely been an eye opening experience, to say the least.]