"It's not pity that you will receive. Most of the time, you will receive sympathy and empathy. You will be surprised how many have also suffered a great loss as well." Then a thought came to mind and he had to quickly add in. "Do not take that as an invite to start comparing your loss to others, and that yours is small compared to others'." He knew how she would tend to bring herself down in order to make her feel unworthy of comfort.

"Are you really living, little one?" he asked. "From the looks of it, you are only existing."