[ Ned can put the pieces together, there. Just before he arrives means Dean had been one of the ones to save Samandriel from whatever - or more likely whoever - had left him bloody and terrified before he arrived. Grudgingly, Ned's respect for Dean increases. He's only ever encountered him in the role of aggressor, rather than someone who helps other people. But then, Ned doesn't know all that much about him. ]

It was. Haven't been able to help out all that much around here, because the food's so rationed. If the power doesn't come back, I guess I'll finally be completely useless. [ There's a touch of sadness in the way he smiles, then. Ned hates feeling useless, but if he can't bake, he thinks there's really very little he can contribute ]

[ He doesn't give a second thought to Samandriel's slight shiftiness in saying he's not a student. Ned assumes there's a story there - maybe he dropped out? - but doesn't pry, since it doesn't seem like something he's willing to talk about. Instead, he asks what he realizes has the potential to be an even touchier subject ] You have any family, back home? [ Ned knows that for some - like Riley - talking about family members is a comfort, when they are out of reach ]