His smile stays on, still friendly, but there's something that saddens in it at the mention of a spirit joining the race. Drawing it to commemorate it, no matter what happens. When he's so worried about the mandrake spirit, that hits a little close to home.

"That's very thoughtful of you. To make a memory of them, no matter how the races goes." It's not a memory that can do anything for him, sadly, but... he likes the idea.

She doesn't have to worry about being in his way. He shakes his head, lifting his hand armed with cocoa. "I'm just trying to warm up. I've been over by the races." And it's a bit colder over there, away from town and the bonfire. That phrasing is far less depressing than the actuality of what he's been doing, though the whole truth seems a bit heavy for a total stranger. "I'm Matt. I'm sorry, I hope I didn't interrupt you." He's never going to admit it, but, after the emotional soul sucking of listening spirits run to their eventual doom... he was kind of fishing for some company.