"Stories? I loved stories." but he isn't going to give her harsh words, things she couldn't stand at the moment, couldn't bear to hear about what was going on. She shouldn't be helping to fight it, but she hardly could muster the thought to do so.
The question drew her back away from the troubles, bemused as little by it. He really was sweet, she had to give him that, and she couldn't quite smile, but her eyes crinkled and the look she gave him was not quiet so harsh as she took it from him. "I do, very much. You have done better than most, they keep giving me alcohol to drink, as if that numbs a single thing."