[That was and wasn't expected, and so though his eyes are wide with surprise at the sudden appearance of tears he still says nothing even as he subtly shifts. It's a natural movement of shifting to pull her into his side and tentatively drape an arm over her shoulder. This is okay, right? Truthfully he's just doing what he would do for any of his friends if they were as distraught.

The more surprising part is what she actually says and the words seem to hang in the air. A creature that granted a wish for the price of your soul. Wasn't there a story like that? Maybe it doesn't matter, what matters is the fact that she was lied to and made into something sacrificial without the context. A part of someone else's game without the rules being set.]

A literal soul gem. [It's a quiet murmur and he can't help but stare at the gem in her hand. Even when her other hand comes up he tightens the grip around her shoulders and allows himself to think.] Every time you use your gem to transform then. A piece of your soul...? ["Disappears?"] And that's why the question. Some bad happening even though it's helping a lot of people.

[What the fuck. Why is it the good people who always get hurt?] How did you find out? Maybe...maybe there's something else to it.