[ As she watches, Matt's expression drains of some of its desperate animation, the set of his shoulders sinking. It's a quiet shift, one that's not without its own strange form of relief. Part of Matt's pain comes from the situation, but another part comes from wanting to comfort Alia and not knowing how--comfort, in this case, meaning not "kiss it all better, all at once" but something more modest. Giving Alia something she wants to receive.

So he focuses a moment, thinking of the world outside. ]

It's definitely getting crisper out there. A lot of the outdoor flowers look like they're getting ready to go to ground for the season, although the aster and chrysanthemum are thriving. [ A sudden, startled look comes over his face, and Matt cranes (moving too fast, making himself wince) to pluck his phone from his pocket. ] Hang on--I never told you about my minnows. Or maybe I'm their human, but either way ...

[ Matt scrolls to his recent photos and turns the phone so Alia can see it. It shows a mason jar containing four minnows. ]

Their names are Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter. Bella found them in me when she pulled me out of the lake, and she thought I might want to keep them.

[ Normally Matt would try to talk around this, but he feels like Alia can hang. ]