It was still perhaps a mercy that his vision had come to at least two people he knew, though he remained undecided on how long that would remain the case. Watching him like that, they must view him as a monster. He certainly did. Under the claws of the Sorceress or no, he'd certainly fought like one.

The hug was unexpected. He'd spared a frowning glance at her hand, expecting it to go no further, but her pulling him in for a hug had instead earned something of an undignified squeak of surprise. He wasn't used to being hugged, certainly not being hugged for being the bad guy? He's stiff at first, but after a few long moments of awkward uncertainty he does reach up to pat her back in gratitude.

He doesn't... really know what to say about any of that. "Not my most flattering side." Is all he manages to offer weakly. Maybe bad humor will make this conversation easier to swallow.