[Her barrage of emotions takes him off guard, and he takes a step back in order to distance himself from them as a sort of defense mechanism. There were too many feelings and thoughts, and it was hard to focus on one long enough before another caught his attention. The fear overwhelmed him first, an emotion he disliked above all else, quickly joined by worry. So much of it, all valid concerns that seemed to be magnified here.
It's the 'what ifs', however, that affect him the most. It pains him to think that she believes he doesn't trust her, but it's too late to backtrack now. His defensiveness manifests itself as thick swirls of dark grey, curling around his torso and legs like snakes.]
You cannot do not understand. [He can feel his fortress begin to weaken, Dracula's mocking laughter echoing across his thoughts and cutting through them like a knife. He manages to maintain it before anything of importance can slip out, aside from the faintest traces of weariness and resignation.] Do you think I want to keep you at arm's length? I trust you more than almost everyone in this building combined. Your concerns, your worries - they are all very valid, but we never had a chance to properly discuss the future. Perhaps I should have tried harder, or made more of an effort.
[The distance between them feels immense, but he doesn't know how to close it - not with all the thoughts and emotions still filling the house around them.] Are there certain things you want to know? Specific questions you would like to ask me? I do not know how to be as open as you are, Helena.