Tension visibly leaves his face and shoulders as Henry shakes his hand and gives his name. He's never sure what the reactions will be, never sure how to prepare for them. Henry gets a firm shake in return, followed by a small smile that grows as the young mage pays attention to Purrelden.

"Anyone can have a pet. It's simply not always easy to get one. Stray cats may be the easiest; I know where there are a few if you'd like one." Why not push cats to people? They're good companions. And a mage who has a cat is already seizing a little independence for themselves, stepping into ownership and affection. It's healthy. "Purrelden here, more precisely The Hero of Purrelden, was one of those strays before sh was given to me. And as far as the other..."

Anders exhales and shakes his head. "The future. Or rather, trying not to think about it. It's much harder to not think about something than it is to dwell, perhaps unsurprisingly. Do you think about it much?"

Deflection, getting the conversation off himself, is probably the best way to not get too overwhelmed right now.