"...Oh. ...Huh."

It's a far cry from her claim in the argument they'd had months ago, which catches him off guard but also serves to demonstrate what a hot mess they'd been back then. In a sense, the guide ought to be something of a relief, though it clearly annoys Era. More discomfort, but more honesty- whether or not it's a good trade in the long-run has yet to be confirmed, but it's a start.

He's still not sure what to say otherwise, and when he opens his mouth intending to say something vague and probably unhelpful he instead coughs into a hand, clears his throat, and draws back to find a tiny, perfect blue sylleblossom bloom in his palm. He stares down at it for a long moment, feeling a twist in his gut and irony on his mind. The thought to comment on the hypocrisy comes to mind, or perhaps to just offer it to her to see if she'll really eat anything.

Still, the flower sits there in his hand, accusing him with its innocent demand. He doesn't need a book to remind him what it means. Don't give up, it says. Have a sincere heart.

Faintly he sighs, spinning it by the stem between his fingers. "Maybe you can give me some advice."