The few times he's conversed with Ilde, she's been vibrant and informative. Admirably blunt and passionate in her causes. It's strange that her acknowledgement is almost... sterile. That's the only word he can think to attach to it. But it's a smile, and there's enough familiarity and so little hostility that he moves his chair closer.

"I'm sorry," he apologizes, swallowing.

"I couldn't use my CiD while I was undercover. I claimed to be familiar with a different cohort. After I healed- I have no excuses. You deserve an apology."

He's worried that she might have thought he'd been afraid of her. It's a misguided effort to correct that.