["Thanks". Not "butt out". Not "shut up". Not "can we please not talk about this right now?". To one Asbel Lhant, "thanks" is usually a sign of acceptance, so whatever outcome Emil was expecting by activating his defense mechanism numero uno...Asbel just missed the memo.]

["Thanks" means Asbel is supporting him, effective immediately.]

Things will work out, Emil. I know they will.

[But of course he'd rather know what it is he's supporting Emil in. He can't help at all if he's left in the dark. He continues quietly.]

So...what is it? Aster insisted he didn't know who you were, but I'm guessing there's more to it than that. Do you know him already?