He falters in his work. He hopes it doesn't show too much, the fear in his face or his eyes. He knows it's going to show a little.

"I am... trying to push through it." He tries to smile, though it pulls tight and doesn't quite reach his eyes. He needs to be careful what he says here, he knows. Too much, and she takes the burden. Too little, she never gives up her own. She wouldn't consider the difference their age makes.

"It was scary," He admits. "Things like that always are. I'm not ready to die again. I don't want to hurt you or anyone else. I especially don't want everyone's last memories of me to be of a monster." He can't imagine anything worse than destroying his family like that, and those here too. Things are torn bad enough.

"But... I came from the outlands. I was there a long time and things could get really hard. I'm not... okay exactly. But I've got plans now, ideas for what to do and a little more hope in that direction. That can help sometimes. And most importantly, you and I and everyone else who was there is in one piece. It means a lot that you're all safe." He hopes that strikes the right balance.

"And you? Are you going to be okay?"