[ Matt doesn't know what to make of a lack of eye contact--or rather, he knows how to make a large number of things. It could mean disgust at Matt's recklessness. Sadness over what happened with the demon. Guilt for something demon-related in Howl's own past. In fact, that one word, that "unless," grants Matt more certainty than anything that there was such an incident, however many years ago.
It's probably weird to feel guilt over that, or at least, it's most likely unjustified. But Matt can't help feeling like whatever happened to Howl happened because his warning wasn't clear enough. Like, it was a dream, he gets that. It was a shared illusion produced by the Innocent's affliction. But in his heart, it feels like he gave a child-Howl advice about staying away from demons just a few weeks ago.
Gently, as if trying not to rouse a sleeper, Matt echoes back, ] Unless ...?
ahehehehe
It's probably weird to feel guilt over that, or at least, it's most likely unjustified. But Matt can't help feeling like whatever happened to Howl happened because his warning wasn't clear enough. Like, it was a dream, he gets that. It was a shared illusion produced by the Innocent's affliction. But in his heart, it feels like he gave a child-Howl advice about staying away from demons just a few weeks ago.
Gently, as if trying not to rouse a sleeper, Matt echoes back, ] Unless ...?