"I, um."

He sits back down, inviting Mal to do the same with a wave of his hand.

"Got to know River. Reminds me of someone I used to know. And then Roland explained to me about, you know, the Beams, and the Tower, and it... made sense to me. And I thought, well, shit, everyone needs a hobby - mine might as well be saving the world. Required practical experience, and all."