There was a desire to agree right off the bat — because, really, when Buffy Summers said something, one just had to side with her out of the sheer principle of the matter — but Sookie couldn't really empathize. Back home, recognition was always several parts feedback; if the other person had any sort of recollection about Sookie, she could pick up on it through the air, pull a name out like a card from up her sleeve. And on the island, there were so few people Sookie had met at all that she clung to each like they were the last, a process tiring but ultimately necessary for the calm of her heart. As a compromise, she nodded, the fact that sympathy had been mixed in instead of empathy going unsaid.

Not that it was at all a damper on the moment. Everything else notwithstanding, Sookie was really and truly meeting the greatest previously-fictional person she'd ever known, and could hardly keep from jumping everywhere out of excitement. So much of what she did or said, ever since the vampires came out of the coffin, was in some way influenced by the way Buffy had dealt in her life — although Sookie was indeed glad for the fact that vampires in her world didn't automatically lose their souls in the process. At least, not entirely. Her smile slowly widened, although it was shaky all the same, and Sookie found herself holding out a hand for the other woman before she could even think the action through.

"Oh, we haven't met, no — I mean, I've heard about you, knew that you were a great teacher so I thought about givin' this whole thing a shot," Sookie remarked honestly, eyes wide. "But we haven't met directly. I'm Sookie Stackhouse, Buffy, it's a real honor to meet you."