David chuckled. Leave it to the mathematician to view the world as a series of Xs and Os. And given the conditions under which he first met her, he wasn't really surprised that Arla was so willint to accept a half answer; they all had them, and at some level they all understood that. Still, give and take was a part of any relationship. David had said that to Sarena, balance was key, and it held true beyond the zone of councellor preaching at students. Because of his position at the school, whether or not he was on duty, people tended to open themselves up to David. If any sort of real friendship between himself and Arla could exist, which he hoped there could be, there had to be a measure of balance there.
"Maybe eventually," he replied warmly. "I don't want to drive you mad. But, thank you. I appreciate -- Arla? Are you all right?" David frowned, looking from her hand to her face to try and see if she was in pain. The spasm was familiar, the hand curled around the glass, but he hadn't been paying enough attention then to know what it meant, or how it felt. "Is there anything I can do?"