[Tails isn't actually going to fight that hug. Because whether he knows it or not, he does need it. Close contact, someone there, someone to just break the isolation and silence if even for only a little while. It helps, but he can't help being rattled to his core by it.]

Ah... well, it...

[He smiles, however weakly, but it's genuine. It's also the first he's smiled in literally almost two weeks. Gingerly, he accepts it in his gloved hands, holding it as if it might break if he's not careful.]

...Thank you, Maria. I... I really appreciate it.

You can come on in. We can have lunch. I'm... I guess I haven't eaten all day, so that's probably why I'm so hungry.