Rey is relieved to find that the elf (that's what they called themselves, right?) is more friendly than the last newcomer she met. She surveys Merrill with a discerning eye -- the markings are definitely tattoos, she decides -- before she remembers to smile. Most people didn't react well to suddenly being transported here. The least she could do is try and appear reassuring.

Especially when the news she's about to deliver isn't exactly good news.

"This is the Madonna Inn," she says. "And there's plenty of others here, too. We all showed up here, much like you did and so far, none of us have been able to figure out how to get back from where we came from."

Rey presses her lips together pensively, waiting for a shift in Merrill's expression so she'd know how best to respond.