[ he leans forward a little, as comfortably as that pause, resting his elbows on his knees, his chin on his clasped hands. ]

I can spare some more time. There is confusion, but it's the quiet sort. Rachel is quite capable of handling things for a while longer.

[ there's a small note of pride when he talks about Rachel. they'd been in the same garrison, but he hadn't expected her to welcome him back as warmly as she did. let alone take to trying to understand things the way she has. he's glad to have her by his side in this. ]