[OH, ELLIOT... This moment will become a paradigm, without a doubt. If only he hadn't tried so hard to be a somewhat decent human being, Kaoru would have probably just continued to view him as a vague amusement to pass the boring hours with and little else, but there's something about kindness - even rough and inelegant kindness - that strikes every wrong chord no matter what it is. Kindness directed at him is something that he, at his core, desperately desires. It's also something that he greatly despises, but it's attention-grabbing either way, and not the positive variety of attention-grabbing.

Still, despite a brief hitch in step, Kaoru maintains flawlessly. Elliot is given a somewhat sheepish smile and Kaoru's hands fold together at waist level, knitting nervously.]

Elliot is truly kind... Saying things like that and offering to help - I appreciate it. [Followed by a gentle nod to illustrate that very real gratitude.]

I've already looked everywhere for her. [LITERALLY. Several times over, in fact. The motivation of a distressed siscon is strong...]

A search party wasn't organized, but the people who know her have been keeping an eye out. She isn't the first to disappear and she won't be the last, I'm certain, but... [A pause, discomforted. Then:] It's upsetting. I don't want something like that to become "normal" here, but there's very little that can be done about it.