It's not exactly what he wanted to hear, no, but this does at least nudge his thoughts forward rather than back.

"That's interesting... Alex had a similar talent, although less focused. He would throw it, bodily. Had the potential to be devastating." He does not mention that it vaguely resembles hula hoops of death—but only because he's not in the mood, honestly. At this age, Erik would completely say something like that. "The two of them are related, I suppose."

After another pause, during which he eyeballs John for a moment longer—sorry, he's just thinking, and you happen to be right there—Erik goes on to ask, "What do you know about this Remy fellow?"