Dunstan was beginning to feel as if he really had died... which he hadn't, he had to remind himself firmly. He'd gone pale, even for a part-vampire, his hazy mind finally beginning to process the situation, iota by cautious iota.

When Crystal pulled him into a hug, it took him a moment to register it — but then he raised his arms and hugged her back, deriving warmth and familiarity. They were living, they were both living, and they would work through this.

When they parted, Dun looked automatically to Acacia, but she was already heading back into the Great Hall in a businesslike manner. He concern was logical, and he nodded dumbly.

"Don't worry about me", he returned his attention to Crystal. "I'll be fine. Just... I hope you will be too. All of you. She's strong, our sister — she has to be." But Acacia's reaction upon seeing him for the first time had been understandably horrified. "But this is going to be hard for us to figure out." He didn't even know where to begin.

With why or with how? He was concerned they wouldn't find an answer to either.