[ He brings a hand up in a defensive reflex for a blow that didn't come and was only surprised by the sudden lack of personal space. The last thing he wants is to be upset at PM, but selfishly, all the frustrations that he had kept buried underneath pleasantries reared their heads. ] And you think it's easy? These are commands seared into my mind -- a plan I inherited and to carry out no matter the cost!
[ But even his own words felt empty, and meaningless. His own pining for lost glories echoed in the void. He looks away at her questions. How can he answer now? ] ... but this... Hiling, you... mean so much to me.