[ There's a cant to the dog's head as he considers that statement, looking honestly impressed by it. He laughs a little, rubbing the back of his neck. ]

I mean, you're not wrong. [ It's what they were all doing here, wasn't it? Though awful was probably a qualifier that changed considerably from person to person. ] But it was just after Grove mentioned how much he knew. It got to you, I could feel it.

Not trying to call you out or anything, dude. Honest. [ And he means it, using a voice that his little brother would recognize as special. The kind of tone reserved for realtalks. ] S'just that all this stuff is a mess and we've got some time to kill if you wanna unravel it a little.