[Her immediate lightening of mood lifts the burden of nerves he'd been holding in his throat and stomach, but he keeps his face steadier than he feels, other than a pained grin.] I've kept my resolve and faith in the Emperor iron-clad.
Even then, I have never met a creature more stubborn or stuck up than Eridan. Still, he shows moments of promise--and a decent taste in food, if not in fashion.