Horvath makes no attempt to find a room and settle in, but waits politely in the background until Steve is done giving instructions and ready to retire to whatever passes for an infirmary. He’s happy to help him there, although he won’t give any more assistance than seems necessary, and once Steve has sat down he sinks down gratefully and sets his cane aside, sighing with relief. That was a hard enough hike that he’s very glad to get his weight off his feet for a few minutes.

“I’m afraid you’re cursed.” As soon as the words are out, he realizes with chagrin that this probably should have been cushioned in more delicate terms. Perhaps with his vision absent, Steve will appreciate that Horvath has an extremely expressive voice. His embarrassment and apology comes through clearly in his tone, after. “I’m sorry. I should have... Mmm. Bedside manner is not my strong suit. What I meant is that there was clearly something or someone beyond an ordinary person out there, and they seem to have placed a curse on you. The bad news is that such things can be difficult to remove. The good news is that they nearly always can be removed, sooner or later.” He’s not at all good at sugar-coating things, but he is very good at laying out the important details, at least?