He slides his arms around Nate, casting to verify that Nate's on the road to recovery. The archer does seem to be healing, and that's one weight off.

"I'm..." He stops as Lady starts licking Purrelden, watching to see if he needs to intervene. Instead of batting, the kitten seems to accept the attention this time. Good. Sort-of. Mabari are slobbery and he may have to bathe his cat later. "I'm better when I'm with you. It's still so... silent. I'm used to having commentary, other emotions, another set of thoughts." And the lack means that other thoughts can now slip in from other sources. "It's strange to say something and not be judged. To put my arms around you and not feel displeasure."

Strange... and bizarrely lonely.