He perches cautiously on the edge of it, ready to spring from it if necessary.

"I again, want to apologize for touching you. Should I assume that you don't like being touched at all or it's more complicated than that?"

Parafi gives a confused blink. "People- don't really touch me. Unless..." he trails off uncertainly. Because they said they weren't interested. And the boy opposite him doesn't seem to want to fight.

Nod. "That's not really a concern here. We check everyone's behavior. Every worker that is."

And that's a look of disbelief. "As you say," he agrees placidly anyway.

"I'm not really following protocol, but I do feel like asking... what do you need?"

That gets a blank, confused look. "Somewhere- quiet?" he says. "I just- need to. Make a plan." Which he has no idea how to do that. But.

Nod. "That can be arranged. We can even offer your alternatives if you need them."

"...alternatives?" he asks tentatively. (He's never had anyone offer him 'alternatives' before.)

He nods and gives him a reassuring smile. It's quite charming. "Alternatives to - in general terms - improve their lives. Finding work that matches their skill or learning opportunities. Or ways to resettle somewhere. Also emotional or... spiritual counsel."

He's silent. "I- can't do much. Fight. Fuck." 'All you're good for. Useless if you can't do this.'

"Uh..." he is trying to not to sound corny, "that doesn't mean that's all you can do. Or that you can't learn new things and leave that life behind you as much as you want."

He makes a sound that would almost be amused if it didn't have an overtone of resignation. "I-" shakes his head. "No point, waste of resources."

"That... is very altruistic of you. But we are one of the best equipped temples in the continent. And very well-connected. Even if all we can do is hosting you for a few days and give you a ticket to somewhere else. And that's not the only thing we can do."

...what does 'altruistic' even mean?

Still. He shakes his head. "Just need a place to rest." He knows he's repeating himself, but he hadn't thought this far ahead. Had just done, and got here and-

And didn't know what happened next.

"Alright... Are you going to literally pass out? If not, we can just get some basic, security-oriented, questions out of the way and lodge you somewhere."

"I'm fine, sir," he states surely. (He's gone longer on less...everything, sleep, water, food.)

"Alright." He makes a general check on all questions instead of picking up the paper. "Where are you from? Are you a sorcerer and-slash-or an Efrossian?

"Efrossian," he confirms, but hesitates. "I- was told that at least one of my parents had to be a sorcerer."

He nods. The phrasing is... not that surprising given all the other signs. "Do you have any gifts or ritual training?"

"I. Um. Fire? Actual fire, not just heat."

The other things aren't relevant.

"As a breath gift? And nothing else?"

He looks away, considers nodding and letting them believe that. But-

But if he has to use his flames they're bound to notice the difference.

"I- no. Stamina, sir."

"I have fire creation for breath," he adds conversationally, not looking intimidated at all, "The place is fireproofed, but please don't use your fire to intimidate people."

"I won't," he says glibly. (Except, it won't be to intimidate people, it'll be because he needs to fight, and hurt and make people leave him alone.)