[Immediately, his face softens. This he can understand. He has his father, but what if he didn't? There had been a time when he didn't, but even then, Grayson had stepped in, and he had someone.

What's worse is he doesn't know anyone to offer for contact. None of his people work with magic. He hasn't seen anyone else yet with this kind of magic. Everyone else's is thematic, different, or it doesn't come from them but an item instead.]

That's not what I meant. [He feels embarrassed about the change in hair, though it's only because being shown is very personal, vulnerable. Changing oneself, very telling.] Your powers don't matter. Stop thinking about your powers like they're the only thing that makes you viable.

What have you done for other people? Who have you made laugh? Who has thanked you for helping them?