[before, he always knew what to say. No matter what Wolfram said to him, he could respond. Now? Nothing. He has no idea what could make this better. Technically they're not even kin anymore.]
[And so it's a long silence before Conrad realizes he has to speak, this might be his only chance. He has to -- and so the first thing that comes to mind is what he says, with a quiet, calm sort of desperation:]