[ Sitting next to Miles might have been the better choice; seeing Aral across from him brings a flashback of that first, terrifying impression and makes him flinch. There's still a big stab wound in the table, after all. ]

Yes, well ... Doubly so in my case, I suppose. [ He huffs faintly, forcing himself to relax. ] I was in and out of the hospital for allergic reactions to my treatment as much as I was for the treatment itself. One bad incident had me spending a week convinced that the ceiling was the most peculiar shade of blue...