"You're not wrong, of course; it does make sense, it's a struggle to experience mortality, mortality makes you feel less alone, in some senses. I know that may sound odd to say it that way, but when one is mortal and lives a shorter life span, you experience the joys and rush of life with others of similar ilk; when you live forever, there's no rush. Why would their be? You have forever."
He thought on that a moment, even as Clara sat back in her spot on the couch. He knew she worried of course, and there was nothing he could really do to alleviate those fears; hell, even if he had a cat scan and everything came back negative, Clara would still worry because he was simply experiencing the burning. Leaning forward, mug still wrapped in both hands, he rested his forearms on his legs and watched her, nodding with a chuckle.
"I suppose that everyone needs a flaw, yes. And it does make for a fascinating story; still, when one looks into it in reality, it makes it less fascinating, and more terrifying. But maybe that's just me, I'm fine with adventuring in a book after all; not so much on my very own, not actually going out there and seeing the stars. I rather like my cozy home and warm tea."
Another sip, and Troy stared back down into the cup of tea, eyes searching as he simply thought and ran through all that she was saying, "I think it does, sometimes, consume him; which is why he does travel as much as he does. He's running from that consumption, running from his past, trying to always keep one step ahead of his own failures... interesting, we're dissecting a man that doesn't even exist, yet in some sense does. One of my primary characters, looking at him as a story element, but discussing him as if reality."
He chuckled before looking to her, "I suppose all of these fears were for naught, and I'm sorry I dragged you out this late Clara. I know the last thing you wanted to discuss were my dreams... it was selfish of me."