[ Oh no... that looks too expensive. His eyes widen as he stares at the ruby in his hands, quite sure it will trade for a lot but not wanting to deprive her if it's all she has, which he realizes is probably a dumb concern to have. Given what he's heard about the Regent and Achamoth, this is more than likely just pocket change for her.

Still– ]

I can't accept this for just a few rice balls. It's way too much. I just wanted to make sure you got fed while on the trip.

[ And he's relieved about the black goo not doing anything that dangerous to her... except apparently inspiring a degree of complacency that's still a little alarming. Thoma will have to continue keeping an eye on her from afar to make sure it doesn't morph into anything more debilitating or that could bring any greater harm to her. ]

I thought it'd be a lot worse, but if you're really okay at the moment, maybe all that worry was unfounded. I've only been up and down the marketplaces just to find anything at all open, but it's been abandoned. Not really a whole lot of supplies left behind either, but I found a bit of sewing supplies and a couple of cobbling tools.

[ Maybe not the most useful to everyone else but definitely useful to Thoma. ]

How about you?