Draiss held the elf close to him, telling her that while he knew her only a short while, she was a beautiful, attractive, wonderful person, she must have been, to have been hurt that badly by what happened to her mother, and that she still was, that was why she had her mental ice armor, to protect her and her sister. He said things that he thought she needed to hear, and realized that he might very well kill her if he left her, but kept his sigh inside his head. This was not how he imagined his reunion with mortals occurring, he mused with the part of his mind that still tried to be dispassionate.<br/><br/>He held her as tightly as she needed, letting her burn out her emotions, and simply kissed her forehead, before answering, "What I did does not require thanks, as it is something friends should give each other freely. And if I am not a friend yet, I hope, in time, you will call me that, and, someday, maybe even something more.<br/><br/>Now, can I go and ask your sister to take 3rd watch? I will be right back, and will be willing to just hold you for the rest of the night, if that is what you need."<br/><br/>He gently brushed her mind, seeing what she was thinking right now, hoping he had started her healing.