[ His gratitude softens her features, her mouth pulling like she might offer a smile as a, 'you're welcome,' though she does not. And it's true; while he thinks, she's left to stand there, big blue eyes trained on him expectantly. Rather than interrupt, however, she leaves him to his contemplation and waits patiently, head subtly tilted. It only straightens once she realizes where he's begun to look, and by then it's much too late to try to distract him - if she would have done so at all. ]

This?

[ Of course, this. Her hand lifts, fingers uncurling to brush lightly against the mark on her cheek, as if to be sure it's still there. She hesitates, and yet when she speaks, she does so matter-of-factly, despite the undercurrent of self-consciousness. ]

It's the truth, isn't it? [ Her hand falls away, coming to grasp her opposite elbow, arm pressed across her midsection. ] I came from Nothing. And I am-- [ Faltering, she find she can't quite finish that sentence the way she would have before. With the beginnings of a frown, she amends, ] Well, maybe I'm... not quite Nothing the way that I was before, but...

[ The word might still apply, depending on how one looks at it. His offer, however, draws her out of her other thoughts. Glancing up at him, her eyes round. Despite herself, she feels a smile tugging more strongly at her lips this time, even as she shakes her head. ]

I don't doubt it. But-- I don't think you should be picking fights here, not with... anyone who could do something like this. And especially not because of me...! I wouldn't want to get you into any trouble.