Once he'd given her hold of his cheek, his hair, the - whatever stuff up there she was inclined to pet, yes, good - Vax closed his eyes and propped up his chin in his opposite hand. Everything was too weird and he missed them, all of them, so much. Obviously Vex, but also Keyleth, who was his light and joy and conscience. Scanlan, who knew men's faults, reveled in them, but had always chosen to live for something better. Grog's loyalty was his true strength, not his muscle, and he was more honest in his motivations than many would ever be. And Pike... The beautiful, ball-busting believer in all warmth that could heal broken hearts and minds. She would have been able to comfort him in this.

But Regina, his thought circled back around, though her words came through to him a bit muddied... Was being unexpectedly, blessedly kind.

"Regina," he said quite softly, not going to all the trouble of opening his eyes. "Thank you."