[ ...oh. that-- actually gets something of a surprised look from him, and as he licks sticky frosting from his fingers, he can't help but give a light, soft chuckle that definitely sounds sheepish. ]

Please don't set your expectations too high, okay? It just... someone very wise gave me a very good bit of advice I should've taken to heart much sooner than I did. I like to pay it forward now I can, because... that's precisely the sort of thing she would want.

[ if Lilith were here... if Lilith were here, Abel can only imagine how much easier life would be. for all of them. how she would know just what to do, how she could soothe the most damaged of their ranks. how she could give Dokja the words he truly deserved to hear.

but Abel is just a pale imitation, only able to offer some hollow mimicry of her gentility and kindness. it's all he has; it's all he can offer them.

...is it enough? he doesn't know. Dokja deserves better than this. ]