"That's super cool. I've never been outside of Maine, before this. I wonder if I could learn how to cook? It'd be neat to know how to make stuff." It would certainly be better than having to resort to sandwiches whenever his parents were busy. Turkey on rye got boring after a while. And cooking lessons with a polar bear sounded amazing. "Thank you, Mr. Ice Bear."

He leans on the counter, massaging his head. The pain isn't too awful, but he's starting to reach the point where light sensitivity kicks in. Alex blinks it back as best he can, trying not to look like he's in pain. Everyone here is so nice. He doesn't want them to worry about him. Still, there's a moment where his eyes shut and he has to take a deep breath. Today has been rough.

The hot chocolate, though, seems to revive some of his cheer. He has to smile at the little whipped cream bear. There's something quaint and warm about this, all of this, that makes him feel like he can breathe. "Thanks." Cautiously blowing on it beforehand, he takes a sip, brightens, then takes another. "It's really good! I like that it's sweet." His dad always drinks his without sugar, because some people are weirdos, unlike the talking polar bear.

There's not really a covert way to take the aspirin with Ice Bear looking at him and Marie right next to him, but his head is pounding, so he'll just have to deal with some funny looks as he downs it. A gulp of hot chocolate later, he sighs, relaxing into his seat. Well, that's one problem solved.