Physically, it's a very odd response. For a moment, Zevlor thinks he's about to be either shoved, or dragged into what seems as though it would be an uncharacteristic embrace. Then he gets a look at Kael's face, and it tells a saga in a few milliseconds. Confusion, loss, and then something underlying that, something downright frightening.

When the drow blinks and shakes his head, he will see that the tiefling has stood his ground, but his spine has straightened; he's standing like the military man he is, and his gaze is alert. Measuring. Something is not right, here. Maybe it's the tadpole, maybe not, but either way, Kael needs to not be in the midst of this crowd right now.

"You seem overwhelmed, to be honest. Sometimes..." He relinquishes the tea, thinking over his words. "Sometimes a certain scent or a sound can do that to a person. Or just the pressure of a crowd expecting you to do or be something specific to them."

"I remember in Avernus, some of Elturel's factories caught on fire. The smell of the sulfur, the plaster and metal scorching--sometimes I walk past a wood-fire and think I'm smelling it again, and I have to get away."

"Why don't you walk down to the water with me for a moment? See if you can clear your head."