[ It doesn't take much encouragement from her for him to lace his fingers with her own seeking digits. This very human expression of closeness is a thing she's quickly ensuring becomes second nature for him. It seems to him that as time goes on there are very few moments where holding her hand isn't something he'd like to do. That warmth, that sureness of her grip, it's a rock solid reassurance in a world he still struggles to understand at times.

Like right now. Her comment has him looking at her, the expression on his face taking one of shock and confusion. He... he knows that smile. He did something wrong did-- yes he did, she says as such. ]

A-apologies...? [ "Turn-off"... he's not remotely familiar with that word but he can tell it's a bad thing. As if on cue he proceeds to scratch at that spot behind his left ear he normally favors. ] One did not intend for such a... that is to say...

[ His speech garbles and turns into a strange growling, grinding set of noises. Muttering in his own kind's language whilst he shakes his head, his cheeks turning flush. ]

You are in of course factually an individual of your own quality and temperament, Kaede-hime. There are none that in truth could hold claim to full similarity of yourself, there is rareness in the capacity you hold for strength and kindness in the most equal of measures.

[ Poor guy's rambling while he tries to right the ship... bless him. ]