He's definitely an odd duck, even back home. For the most part, though, he doesn't seem to be aware of it, just smiling obliviously like a friendly dog waiting for pets. As oblivious as he is, though, he immediately understands the sad tone to her voice, and his gaze turns sympathetic.

"It feels...nice, to have a connection with your family through magic," he says, carefully. "They're sort of 'with you' whenever you do it, then."

Is that sappy? Maybe a little. Oh well. "My long-lost uncle has been teaching me," he adds, as an explanation.