Kris bristled in alarm when she heard the boy coughing, her eyes growing round as she failed to notice the canteen of water he grasped in his hand. Gods, had she caused the poor guy to swallow his tongue or something? ...Was that even possible? It didn't even seem like she had fully processed his words as she lost herself to her own fretting. Prior experience with a choking father had led her to learn that a hard thump on the back was much more effective than gentle patting, so she closed her hand into a fist and raised it in preparation--

--only to freeze when he turned to face her. Staring up at him owlishly, she very slowly lowered her fisted hand and tucked it behind her back, as if hiding it would somehow make him forget that he had ever seen it. Clearing her throat, she took a step back and returned his bow with one of her own.

"Er, no, not at all! I'm sorry for walking in to you. I should have been more mindful of my surroundings." Gaze awkwardly flickering from side to side, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Her focus then fell back onto the figure before her as a wide smile spread across her lips at his question. "Yes! I've wanted to become one for as long as I can remember, and I've finally come of age."

If she noticed the wariness in his eyes, she certainly didn't show it. Reaching out, she abruptly grasped his free hand in both of hers and absolutely _beamed_ up at him. "You asked me if I was 'also' here to become a knight of Altea, right? Then could it be that you...?"