Messy thoughts are not something Charles is wholly unused to, especially in this city. He's waiting for his order when he decides to skim through the thoughts of the people around him, but it's the combination in Steph's mind that gets his attention. That's a lot weighing on one person; it's also something he can sympathize with, given that he's new to the city himself.

Of course, it's a bit strange to walk up to someone you don't know and inquire about them and their well-being. So when Charles has his order, he walks past Steph's table rather casually and seemingly does a double-take at the books she's reading. He recognizes a few of the titles from his own knowledge quest a few weeks ago.

"Ah. I remember that work particularly well," he says, pointing at a spine. "Very dense. And not the greatest pillow in the world." Books always seem to be something one can be innocuously friendly over.