[Entirely recovering from whatever it is that's troubling him isn't something she expects, not by a long shot - and she would never begrudge him his mourning, such as it is, if she knew the cause of his mood. But if she can make it even the tiniest bit easier, can help him smile his way through even some small part of it, then that's all she could ask for. She owes him that much, doesn't she? Not that she does it out of any sense of debt. It's in her nature to help, and it isn't the first time that she's been able to do that only in token fashion because the true cause of the trouble isn't something she can fix. It's become an unpleasantly familiar type of situation, but one she's currently trying to make the best of.]

Well, I suppose that's one way to convince your aunt not to let you help. [Mouth curling a little more at the edges, though, she nods, her expression growing subtly softer at the recollection. She can certainly appreciate gentleness, after all.] Yes, I remember. He was very considerate. I noticed he wasn't with you, today...?

[Not that she's got any business assuming that they spend every waking moment together, or anything like that, and she moves on all the same.] I thought so, too. [Stifling a giggle more successfully this time, she continues smoothly into her answer, her hands folding neatly together.] It depends. Sometimes people make requests, but usually I'm free to draw whatever I-- want to. [The catch is almost imperceptible, and she continues on as though there were never a slight readjustment there, smile unperturbed.] Why? Did you have something in mind?