Inessa listens to Jamie's explanation with interest, but the topic sounds more sensitive than she had first realized, so that has her hesitant to prod further. After all, this is a night for merriment and she wouldn't want to drag down his mood, nor have him divulge more than he's comfortable doing.

That brief shadow doesn't go unnoticed and Inessa responds with a sympathetic nod. "It sounds as though there's quite the story behind all that, but you needn't share if it bothers you. That must be difficult for your friend, being thus estranged. Should he arrive here, leaving might not be possible...but he would have companionship. I would be glad to befriend him."