[You are very tall, sir! Especially compared to Ion, who's only a hair over five feet, himself. He has better manners than to sit there and stare, of course, but it takes him a moment or two to master his surprise.]

I lost one dear friend, but gained another. And... [His gaze drops to his own folded hands and a light blush dusts his cheeks] I like to think I did a great deal of growing up, thanks to her influence.