To say the Nightmare fed on and exploited the tragedies and failures that have comprised Aleron's life to date? Understated indeed. Even knowing the demon was, in fact, a demon and prone to twisting and warping truth and reality had not been shield enough against the verbal arrows lobbed at the Seeker. Knowing the Fade to only be a representation of one's realities and thoughts didn't prevent pain being laid at his feet, nor stop him from a rather embarrassing pause to gawk at the impossible.

He has since then attempted to push down and away all feelings about the experience, both the anger and dismay, as well as the embarrassment, with only moderate effect. Getting an admission of any of it will prove a monumental task, however, as Aleron remains committed to remaining calm and detached.

When Malcolm shows up with warm stew, however, some of that resolve melts. The gesture is appreciated, which he notes with a dip of his head and a murmured word of thanks. For some minutes, he sits quietly, letting the heat from the bowl soak into his hands and spread up his arm. The silence buys him the time to reflect on the experience, how new friends and old acquaintances stepped in to help when he didn't even know he needed it. How a fellow Seeker is here now. Maybe he's not alone and unwanted after all.

"Thank you, for this. It is appreciated."

Okay so he's still awkward with social things, even if he is starting to thaw a little on the coldness.