[ Whether it's the trials she's recently been subjected to or the sheer amount of information she's been given, Vanessa feels unable to perceive in a manner that would normally come to her without effort; it may take her some time to regain the control she's lost, and in the meanwhile she might have to rely on others more readily than she would otherwise, current company included.

If he's presently wrestling with anything in terms of how best to proceed, she's too distracted by her own considerations to notice — but the touch of his hand garners another smile and a small nod of her head. ]

Yes, I'd heard, this... mandatory gathering. Another place to offer only a few answers while conjuring many more questions, I'm assuming.