Rose is actually kind of inhumanly warm and soft, not that Ember probably has the experience hugging people Rose's size to notice. 

(Is this... okay?)

Why would it not be okay.

(She likes it too much. Needs it too much.)

Why is that not okay.

(It's disloyal.)

What. What.

(Ember buries her face in Rose's front and makes ambivalent sounds.)

Rose pets her hair. 

Ember feels like she's melting.

(This isn't right! Maybe this alien has some sort of Master power? Maybe Ember's being ensorcelled?)

Or. Or. Ember is having a really challenging day and now she's being comforted.

The latter seems quite a bit more likely, doesn't it?

(It feels like more than that.)

All she knows for sure is that it feels good to be held right now. She's pretty sure it's a waste to fret over why.

Whether or not Rose has a Master power, she has ethics, so comfort is definitely all that's going on right now. 

Ember keeps hugging her host until the strain of staying in one position for so long starts to make her bones ache.

When she finally does let go and back away, she looks more than a little sheepish.

"It's alright," Rose says, her eyes crinkling with the kind of silent mirth that is definitely not laughing at you.

Ember smiles up at her, eyes still watering. Gratitude shines on her features.

Her hands clink together at her waist, unsure what to do now that the embrace has ended.

"I'm sure you know this already, but you're very good at hugs."

"I am literally magic!"

"I know you don't expect any repayment for your hospitality, ma'am. But if you could find anything for me to do for you, it'd make me quite happy."

"Well--I really do have everything I need. So--I'll let you know if I see a way for you to pay it back or pay it forward, alright?"

Oh. She likes the sound of that last.

"Alright."

"Paying it forward is much more efficient!"

"Definitely!"

"I mean, I'm sure it is here. Back home, I'm always just working to streamline things for the person closest to me... but that isn't because I think you should only take care of your kin as a rule or anything that's just how things sort of worked out in my life in particular..?"

"Housespouse is a totally valid life path."

"Yeah! It's not exactly what I went to school for but... what can I say? I fell in love."

"Trust me, I completely understand."