[He sees, but he doesn't comment. He knows about her pride, yes - he knows about the need to hold herself together so no one will see her falling apart. So he doesn't say anything, but he puts his hand on her shoulder briefly, just for a second, before letting it fall.]

I don't know where he came from. He's doing better than he was, though. I've just been keeping him here so he can get used to the noises and the smells.

[He clicks his tongue against his teeth, and Ilia turns attentively, then hops down off the counter and makes his way with excruciating slowness to the bed, as though he has a thousand better things to do with his time.]