( he's done what he can to suspend feelings of helplessness or despair. he still doesn't truly understand what this is; though he can assume by its nature that it is a curse or something similar to it, he won't believe that there's nothing to be done about it until he's told so by a trusted source.

and given the fact that he can count the number of people he trusts on one (or zero) hands, he might still be doggedly searching for a way to rid himself of it for as long as he draws breath.

he is less averse to the sensation of this sympathy because... it at least feels as though it comes from a place of understanding rather than a place of assumption or pedantic pity. he accepts it, albeit ungraciously. )

I appreciate your offer, Howl.

If I can think of anything to ask of you and your manifold talents, I will not hesitate to do so.