[ The gesture is soothing, even if he tenses up, mostly because he doesn't know what to do with it. He's still not used to being shown sympathy through physical touch, and nothing's to say he ever will be. The thought that he's already figured out what she is isn't coloring her potential interest in keeping him company, as much as he may be inclined to feel distrustful towards women like her. ]

I don't know. They probably wouldn't. It's strange, this place. I don't understand the rules, so I hide sometimes. But we have to do what they tell us to, or we end up getting hurt anyway.

[ He's seen it. Heard it from stories told by the other void-touched. ]

I can keep you safe.