[ her comment makes him pause for a moment. he did call her a friend in the heat of the moment back outside... and she was a kind woman. if that isn't friend material, he doesn't know what is. ]

...We are, yes. [ his expression becomes a little more thoughtful. ] Though I feel like I'd be much less adept at calming someone the way that you did.

[ enough about him, though. help pls. ]

Could you set the water to boil?