[ A bolt of panic runs through them at those words - their shoulders tense, hands raising up as if in surrender. With a shake of their hand and a widening of their eyes, they find themself stumbling over themself to try to put their feelings into words. ]

I-It's not that...! I'm not offended or upset.... [ Have they offended him in the process? They're beginning to understand the meaning of all of the Bearers coming from different worlds, each time another misunderstanding comes up between them. ] I was just surprised... that you would say something so kind. To someone you don't know.

[ Once again, their nerves get the better of them, and they fail to continue looking at him, retreating back to their comfortable state of staring hard at the tips of their shoes. ]

I haven't done anything to deserve it.... so I didn't know how to respond. I'm sorry.

[ The apology comes out like a reflex, already feeling like they're at fault for not just accepting what he'd said for what it was. ]